Life-threatening anaphylactic reaction to the ingestion of kiwi fruit has not been previously reported. We present two patients who sustained such reactions, a 65-year-old female and a 3½-year-old boy. Subsequently, a collaborative study was undertaken with the assistance of 25 allergists; this study includes more than 30 patients with kiwi-fruit sensitivity.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
FergusonA.R.Kiwi fruit, A Botanical Review.Horticulture Rev, VG,1984, ch 1.
2.
FreyeJ.B.Papain anaphylaxis: A case report.Allergy Proc9: 571–574, 1988.
3.
BurnsD.Kiwi fruit sensitivity. Dept of Scientific & Ind Research, Horticulture Processing Section. Auckland, NZ, personal communication, 1988.
4.
FineA.J.Hypersensitivity to kiwi fruit.J Allergy Clin Immunol68: 236–237, 1981.
5.
FalliersC.J.Anaphylaxis to kiwi fruit and related “exotic items”.J Asthma20: 193–196, 1983.
6.
DreborgS.Allergy to apple, carrot and potato in children with birch pollen allergy.Allergy38: 167, 1983.
