Pollen food allergy syndrome secondary to molds and raw mushroom cross-reactivity: a case report

Abstract

Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) is an immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated reaction that causes oropharyngeal pruritus or angioedema due to homologous proteins present in the culprit food as well as a sensitizing aeroallergen. This cross-reactivity has been well established between pollen and fruits/vegetables. Given the evolutionary similarity between all fungi; cross-reactivity between spore forming microfungi and edible macrofungi have been suggested, however only a limited number of case reports have ever been published on this phenomenon. We present a case of a patient who experiences pollen food allergy syndrome-like symptoms following lightly cooked mushroom ingestion who otherwise was able to tolerate cooked mushrooms. We then review the literature to highlight the limited studies of an underrecognized PFAS cross-reactivity between molds and mushrooms. A 15-year-old male presents with symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis was found to have multiple environmental sensitizations to molds via skin prick testing (C. gramineum, A. Pullulans and B. cinerea) and ImmunoCAP serum-specific IgE (A. alternata, C. herbarum, and P. notatum). He developed throat pruritus and subjective throat tightness following ingestion of mushroom containing pizza. ImmunoCAP serum specific IgE to whole mushroom was negative but fresh food prick testing to fresh portobello mushroom and cremini mushroom were both positive with a negative test to canned mushroom. The patient then underwent a graded oral challenge and successfully tolerated canned mushrooms. This case highlights the potential cross-reactivity between microfungi aeroallergens and edible fungi, leading to PFAS-like reactions in susceptible individuals. The patient’s ability to tolerate canned mushrooms suggests a possible heat-labile protein as the cause of the reaction, similar to PFAS patients tolerating cooked but not raw fruits/vegetables. Positive skin prick test to both spore-forming fungi and edible fungi with negative and whole mushroom IgE results further support the hypothesis of cross-reactivity and sensitization. Further research is needed to identify the specific allergenic proteins involved in these cross-reactions and the susceptible species of mold and mushroom. Understanding these components will contribute to improved diagnosis and management of mold and mushroom allergies, and enhance our knowledge of allergenic cross-reactivity in general.