A 71-year-old man with anaphylaxis after eating grits

Allergy Asthma Proc. 2012 Jan-Feb;33(1):110-3. doi: 10.2500/aap.2012.33.3476.

Abstract

The allergist is frequently called on to evaluate patients after episodes of anaphylaxis to determine the cause and implement preventive measures that will reduce the patient's risk from future episodes. The etiology of anaphylaxis can be the result of numerous causes that may go undiagnosed if a thorough evaluation is not performed. We present a 71-year-old man with no history of food allergy or atopy who presented to the emergency room and then our allergy clinic for evaluation after suffering anaphylaxis after a meal of grits and shrimp. The underlying diagnosis, which was subsequently determined, requires a high index of suspicion and should be included in the differential diagnosis of any patient presenting with unexplained anaphylaxis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anaphylaxis / diagnosis*
  • Anaphylaxis / etiology
  • Anaphylaxis / physiopathology
  • Anaphylaxis / prevention & control
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / immunology*
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / metabolism
  • Dermatophagoides farinae / immunology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Eating
  • Edible Grain / adverse effects
  • Edible Grain / parasitology
  • Epinephrine / administration & dosage
  • Food Contamination
  • Food Hypersensitivity / complications
  • Food Hypersensitivity / diagnosis*
  • Food Hypersensitivity / drug therapy
  • Food Hypersensitivity / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Immunization
  • Male
  • Skin Tests

Substances

  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides
  • Epinephrine