Analysis of Litchi-induced allergic asthma among 23 cases
Objective To determine that litchi can be an important allergen of asthma. Methods Twenty three suspected litchi hypersensitivity cases and 20 controls were tested by skin prick test and bronchial provocation test (BPT) with fresh litchi juice. The changes of FEV 1 and PEF levels were measured before and after BPT. Result (1) Skin prick test: all the patients in litchi group had positive reactions and the controls had negative reactions. The wheal size of the two groups has significant difference ( P 0.01). (2) Bronchial provocation test litchi induced asthma was observed in the litchi group, while none of the controls had this phenomenon. Changes of FEV 1 and PEF were found significant difference ( P 0.01) before and after BPT. Conclusion Litichi is an important allergen of asthma, it can provoke asthma.