PULMONARY HEMOSIDEROSIS WITH HYPERSENSITIVITY TO BUCKWHEAT

Background: Adverse reactions after ingesting buckwheat are known to b e IgE-mediated. Further, hypersensitivity reactions may be involved in some patients with pulmonary hemosiderosis related to cow milk sensit ivity. We, however, encountered a patient with pulmonary hemosiderosis related to buckwheat protein without high levels of buckwheat-specifi c IgE antibodies. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms. Methods: RAST for anti-buckwheat IgE, skin prick test, skin patch test, and proliferative responses of peripheral blood mono nuclear cells to buckwheat were investigated in this patient. Results: RAST values for buckwheat protein were negative, and skin prick test for buckwheat protein also gave negative results. On the other hand, s kin patch testing for buckwheat protein elicited positive responses. F urther, peripheral blood mononuclear cells of our patient responded to buckwheat protein. Conclusions: Our patient had pulmonary hemosideros is related to non-immediate buckwheat protein hypersensitivity.