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Sensitization of a child to cyanobacteria after recreational swimming in a lake
Citation:
Geh, E., A. Delacruz, G. Stelma, AND J. Bernstein. Sensitization of a child to cyanobacteria after recreational swimming in a lake. JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. Journal of Allergy Clinical Immunology, 135(2):AB104, (2015).
Impact/Purpose:
This case history description emphasizes the importance of cyanobacteria as an unrecognized allergen and that freshwater recreational exposure of sensitized individuals to cyanobacteria can lead to severe allergic reactions.
Description:
We report a case of an 11 year-old white female who developed an allergic reaction after swimming in Lake Ontario, Canada. Specific IgE reactivity to various species of cyanobacteria extracts was found to be increased in the patient’s serum. This case emphasizes the importance of cyanobacteria as an unrecognized allergen and that recreational exposure of sensitized individuals to freshwater cyanobacteria can lead to severe allergic reactions.
