[Celery allergy (celery contact urticaria syndrome) and relation to allergies to other plant antigens].

Abstract

Comparative study of 13 patients (group A) with severe attacks of angio-oedema and urticaria after eating celery and 143 atopics with hypersensitivity to mugwort-pollen (group B). Due to the severity of the reactions (group A) no oral provocation tests were performed. Scratch chamber tests with raw and cooked celery (and related plants) confirmed the case histories. RAST answers to celery were compared for both groups. RAST inhibition indicated that celery and mugwort-pollen and also celery and birch-pollen allergens cross-react. Whether or not the reactions (in group A) are type I allergic or non-specific reactions is discussed. The term celery-"contact urticaria syndrome" should be used (Maibach and Johnson, 1975).