Table of Contents  
COMMENTARY
Year : 2014  |  Volume : 7  |  Issue : 4  |  Page : 536-537  

Mango and allergic reaction


Hainan Medical University, China; Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Serbia; Joseph Ayobabalola University, Nigeria; Surin Rajabhat University, Thailand

Date of Web Publication25-Jun-2014

Correspondence Address:
Viroj Wiwanitkit
Wiwanitkit House, Bangkhae, Bangkok - 10160, Thailand

Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


Rights and PermissionsRights and Permissions

How to cite this article:
Wiwanitkit V. Mango and allergic reaction. Med J DY Patil Univ 2014;7:536-7

How to cite this URL:
Wiwanitkit V. Mango and allergic reaction. Med J DY Patil Univ [serial online] 2014 [cited 2024 Mar 28];7:536-7. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/mjdy/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2014/7/4/536/135287

There are several fruits. Mango is a well-known tropical fruit and it is famous for its sweet taste. It is widely ingested in the tropical world and it is accepted as one of the best fruits of the tropics. Mango can give sugar, vitamin, minerals as well as fiber. It is considered as a useful food in nutritional medicine. [1],[2] It is no doubt that mango can be confirmed for its benefits to human beings. However, the other side of the coin should be mentioned. The unwanted health effect of mango should be mentioned and this topic is limitedly mentioned in medicine. Here, the mango-related health problems will be further discussed.

There are many health problems that relates to the ingestion of mango. The most important problem is due to the high content of sugar in mango. According to the previous publication, mango is one of the problematic fruit that leads to the poor blood sugar control in diabetic patient. [3] It is suggested that mango should be avoided in the diabetic patient. Another important problem due to mango intake is allergic reaction. [4] This is an extremely rare health problem resulted from mango intake. However, it is important and should not be forgotten. A good example is the present report on a case of "angioedema of the face following ingestion of mango fruit" mentioned above. In fact, the hypersensitivity due to mango intake can be seen in clinical practice. Focusing on mango hypersensitivity, it can be seen in many forms. In additional to the problem after ingestion, the mango dermatitis after contact can also be seen. [5],[6] In those mango dermatitis cases, strongly positive to mango skin and flesh by patch testing can be seen. [6] Sareen and Shah recently mentioned that "the fruit mango can cause immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reactions, as also "oral allergy syndrome." [4] Sareen and Shah also noted that reactions could be seen in cases with no prior exposure to mango. [4]

Focusing on hypersensitivity due to mango intake, the clinical manifestation can range from mild to serious. The problem can occur after intake small mango flesh and the problem can last for many weeks despite anti-allergic drug and steroid treatment. [7] In severe case, anaphylaxis can be seen within few minutes after mango intake. [8] As in the present case, angioedema in several parts of the body and respiratory difficult can be seen. [8],[9],[10] In the most severe case, shock and death are possible. [11] According to a recent report from India, mango allergy is an important food allergy problem that leads to pediatric intensive care unit hospitalization. [12] For diagnosis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for mango-specific serum immunoglobulin E can be helpful. [8] However, the negative result can be expected in some cases. [13] The "27 kDa protein" is found to be more sensitive biomarker for the mango allergy. [13] Finally, it should be noted that mango allergy can be seen in concomitant with other allergies such as latex allergy. [14]

In conclusion, mango intake can result in some unwanted health problems especially for allergic reaction. Due to the easy accessible to mango in the present day, the problem can be expected elsewhere. The practitioner has to recognize the problem for early diagnosis and proper management.

 
  References Top

1.Herrmann K. Review on chemical composition and constituents of some important exotic fruits (author's transl). Z Lebensm Unters Forsch 1981;173:47-60.  Back to cited text no. 1
[PUBMED]    
2.Subramanyam H, Krishnamurthy S, Parpia HA. Physiology and biochemistry of mango fruit. Adv Food Res 1975;21:223-305.  Back to cited text no. 2
[PUBMED]    
3.Wiwanitkit V. "Annual cycle of availability of fruits", a geographical bound concern in planning for control of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Metab Syndr 2011;5:50-1.  Back to cited text no. 3
[PUBMED]    
4.Sareen R, Shah A. Hypersensitivity manifestations to the fruit mango. Asia Pac Allergy 2011;1:43-9.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.Wiwanitkit V. Mango dermatitis. Indian J Dermatol 2008;53:158.  Back to cited text no. 5
[PUBMED]  Medknow Journal  
6.Trehan I, Meuli GJ. Mango contact allergy. J Travel Med 2010;17:284.  Back to cited text no. 6
    
7.Thoo CH, Freeman S. Hypersensitivity reaction to the ingestion of mango flesh. Australas J Dermatol 2008;49:116-9.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.Hegde VL, Venkatesh YP. Anaphylaxis following ingestion of mango fruit. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2007;17:341-4.  Back to cited text no. 8
    
9.Miell J, Papouchado M, Marshall AJ. Anaphylactic reaction after eating a mango. BMJ 1988;297:1639-40.  Back to cited text no. 9
    
10.Dang RW, Bell DB 2 nd . Anaphylactic reaction to the ingestion of mango. Case report. Hawaii Med J 1967;27:149-50.  Back to cited text no. 10
    
11.Rubin JM, Shapiro J, Muehlbauer P, Grolnick M. Shock reaction following ingestion of mango. JAMA 1965;193:397-8.  Back to cited text no. 11
[PUBMED]    
12.Hon KL, Leung TF, Hung CW, Cheung KL, Leung AK. Ingestion - Associated adverse events necessitating pediatric ICU admissions. Indian J Pediatr 2009;76:283-6.  Back to cited text no. 12
    
13.Renner R, Hipler C, Treudler R, Harth W, Süss A, Simon JC. Identification of a 27 kDa protein in patients with anaphylactic reactions to mango. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2008;18:476-81.  Back to cited text no. 13
    
14.Buss ZS, Kupek E, Fröde TS. Screening for latex sensitization by questionnaire: Diagnostic performance in health care workers. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2008;18:12-6.  Back to cited text no. 14
    




 

Top
   
 
  Search
 
    Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
    Access Statistics
    Email Alert *
    Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)  

 
  In this article
References

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed1882    
    Printed91    
    Emailed0    
    PDF Downloaded212    
    Comments [Add]    

Recommend this journal