Diagnosing Pollen-food Allergy Syndrome Allergologically in a Patient with Suspected Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis

Intern Med. 2022 Jan 15;61(2):185-188. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.7664-21. Epub 2021 Jul 17.

Abstract

Pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS) consists of type I allergy to pollen and multiple food items that are cross-reactive to the pollen. PFAS typically occurs in the oral cavity and can co-occur with eosinophilic esophagitis. However, it is infrequently reported to present with symptoms of eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE), such as abdominal pain and eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract. We herein report a patient with a condition initially suspected of being EGE based on symptoms and pathological findings that was later diagnosed as PFAS associated with birch pollen. PFAS should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with EGE-like symptoms.

Keywords: eosinophilic esophagitis; eosinophilic gastroenteritis; pollen-food allergy syndrome.

MeSH terms

  • Enteritis* / complications
  • Enteritis* / diagnosis
  • Eosinophilia
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis*
  • Food Hypersensitivity* / complications
  • Food Hypersensitivity* / diagnosis
  • Gastritis
  • Humans
  • Pollen

Supplementary concepts

  • Eosinophilic enteropathy