Anaphylaxis to Weaver Ant Eggs: A Case Report
Somboon Chansakulporn MD*, Yingwan Charoenying MD*
Affiliation : *Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, HRH Princess MahaChakriSirindhorn Medical Center, Srinakarinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand
The weaver ants (Oecophyllas maragdina), the tropical ants commonly found in Asia and Australia, can produce eggs which become the expensive delicacies for Thai people especially in the northern and northeastern part of Thailand. Anaphylactic reaction can occur from the most common triggers of ingested foods and drugs. Some hidden and newly recognized foods are now described as the triggers of anaphylaxis. This is the case report of anaphylaxis to the weaver ant eggs of after ingesting them for 2 hours and produced anaphylactic reactions, including generalized urticaria, angioedema, wheezing and gastrointestinal symptoms. The diagnostic test was performed to confirm IgE-mediated reaction with skin prick test for the fresh weaver ant egg’s extract and the result was positive. To date, there is also no information about the exact major allergens of these weaver ant eggs and might need to be further explored.
Keywords : Food allergy, Anaphylaxis, Weaver ant eggs
