FICUS-BENJAMINA, A PERENNIAL RESPIRATORY ALLERGEN OF GROWING IMPORTANCE

12 patients are described with perennial allergic rhinoconjunctivitis or asthma, 3 had additionally urticarial eruptions and one edema of th e eyelids. In all of them sensitization to Ficus benjamina was identif ied by skin prick tests, in 7 cases by the additional presence of spec ific IgE in vitro, and in 2 it was verified by a conjunctival provocat ion test. 10 patients were atopic with sensitization to other respirat ory allergens such as pollen, house dust mite or animal dander. 2 pati ents, however, with a massive exposure to Ficus benjamina at home, wer e non-atopic with monovalent sensitization to this plant. Ficus benjam ina is a tropical tree of the genus Ficus which belongs to the Moracea e family. The allergen is located in the plant sap, the so called late x, which after evaporation binds to dust particles on the leaf surface . Upon contact they are emanated from the leaves, thus imitating aller gy to house dust components. Since Ficus benjamina is a very popular d ecorative plant, an increasing number of sensitized individuals is to be expected. The identification of a preventable respiratory allergen is of considerable importance for the patients.