FIRST REPORT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTION AFTER FIG (FICUS-CARICA) INGESTION

We report an anaphylactic reaction which occurred very shortly after i ngestion of a fresh fig. The IgE-dependent mechanism was demonstrated on the basis of positivity of the prick test performed with fresh fig (Ficus carica) extract. In addition, we were able to detect specific I gE to the same extract in the serum. The patient did not demonstrate s ensitization to other common allergens involved in respiratory and foo d allergies. However, detection of specific IgE to F. benjamina indica ted a sensitization to weeping fig. The CAP F. benjamina was partially inhibited by preincubation of the serum with fig extract, suggesting that these two species of Ficus share some common allergens. In this c ontext, the assumption can be made that weeping fig was responsible fo r the initial sensitization in this patient.