Anaphylaxie sévère au litchi (Litchi Sinensis) : à propos de cinq cas déclarés au réseau Allergovigilance

Five cases of severe anaphylaxis to lychee have been registered by the Allergyvigilance network over 2006-2010. Literature is reviewed including six cases. The global analysis points to the young age, the frequency of angioedema localized at larynx, tongue, uvula, lips and face, and the frequency of an associated sensitization to mugwort pollen. Some cases have associated food allergy to Anacardiaceae (mango or pistachio), sunflower seeds, Apiaceae (celery, parsley), apple and banana. Causal allergens may be Lit c1, thermostable profilin, cross reacting with pollens and latex profilines, and a 70 KDA allergen. The authors underline a possible rising frequency of anaphylaxis to lychee since these five cases have been declared over the past 5 years and represent 0.8% of cases of food anaphylaxis registered by the Allergyvigilance network.