Favism

Abstract

FAVISM is an acute hemolytic anemia following contact with beans or pollen of Vicia faba. It has been classified among the paroxysmal hemoglobinurias,1 and manifests itself by the so-called "hemolytic syndrome," which, in view of its specific action on the red cells, might better be named the "erythroclastic syndrome." The main characteristics are a fulminant onset, jaundice, anemia and hemoglobinuria. Favism is probably an allergic phenomenon that is due to a hypersensitivity to the ingestion of the beans or to inhalation of the pollen of V. faba, a large yellowish bean of the lima-bean family.The condition is exceedingly rare . . .