Allergy Asthma Immunol Res.  2010 Apr;2(2):149-152. 10.4168/aair.2010.2.2.149.

A Case of Anaphylaxis After the Ingestion of Yacon

• Yun EY
• Kim HS
• Kim YE
• Kang MK
• Ma JE
• Lee GD
• Cho YJ
• Kim HC
• Lee JD
• Hwang YS
• Jeong YY

• KMID: 2260603
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4168/aair.2010.2.2.149

Abstract

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening systemic allergic reaction, often with an explosive onset; the symptoms range from mild flushing to upper respiratory obstruction, with or without vascular collapse. Foods are common offending allergens and remain the leading cause of outpatient anaphylaxis in most surveys. Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is a plant native to the Andes region, where its root is cultivated and consumed mainly as food. Unlike most edible roots, yacon contains large amounts of ructooligosaccharides. Traditionally, yacon tubers have been used as a source of natural sweetener and syrup for people suffering from various disorders. We report the case of a 55-year-old woman who developed syncope and generalized urticaria after ingesting yacon roots. The patient had positive skin prick and intradermal tests to yacon extract. An open food challenge test was performed to confirm food anaphylaxis and was positive 10 minutes after the consumption of yacon roots. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of anaphylaxis after the ingestion of yacon roots.

Keyword

Yacon; anaphylaxis; syncope; urticaria; hypotension

MeSH Terms

Allergens
Anaphylaxis
Eating
Female
Flushing
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Hypotension
Intradermal Tests
Middle Aged
Outpatients
Plants
Skin
Stress, Psychological
Sweetening Agents
Syncope
Urticaria
Allergens
Sweetening Agents

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Yacon roots.

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  Fig. 2 Skin intradermal test (top) and skin prick test (bottom) with histamine (H) and yacon (Y, 1;10 diluted solution of extracts).

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