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Plukenetia volubilis , Euphorbiaceae (Sacha Inchi) is a plant from the Peruvian Amazon whose seeds are used in the cosmetic industry for their oil and protein content. 1 2
P volubilis has not been previously related to allergy. However, allergens have been described from other Euphorbiaceae plants ( http://www.allergen.org/ ): Hevea brasiliensis (13 allergens), Mercurialis annua (Mer a 1) and Ricinus communis (Ric c 1). Cross-reactivity among these species has been reported. 3
A 40-year-old woman developed rhinoconjunctivitis and bronchial asthma related to exposure to P volubilis seeds in a cosmetic company. She was in charge of crushing the seeds to obtain the powder to extract the oil, had constant rhinoconjunctivitis and had had episodes of coughing, dyspnea and wheezing for 2 years. The symptoms disappeared on holidays and at weekends, suggesting an occupational exposure.
The patient had a normal respiratory function test (FEV1 ) of 3.45 litres (98% predicted). The bronchodilator test was negative.
Common pneumoallergens were investigated by skin prick tests and the CAP system (Phadia, Uppsala, Sweden), resulting positive cat and dog epithelia. The CAPs to latex from H brasiliensis...