Does bee pollen cause to eosinophilic gastroenteropathy?

Abstract

Bee pollen is given to children by mothers in order to strengthen their immune systems. There are no studies related with the side effects of bee polen in the literature. In this article, the literature was reviewed by presenting a case of allergic eosinophilic gastropathy related with bee polen. A 5-year old child was admitted due to abdominal pain. Edema was detected on the eyelids and pretibial region. In laboratory investigations, pathology was not detected in terms of hepatic and renal causes that would explain the protein loss of the patient diagnosed with hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia. Urticaria was detected during the follow-up visit. When the history of the patient was deepened, it was learned that bee pollen was given to the patient every day. The total eosinophil count was found to be 1 800/mm 3 . Allergic gastroenteropathy was considered because of hypereosinophilia and severe abdominal pain and endoscopy was performed. Biopsy revealed abundant eosinophils in the whole gastric mucosa. A diagnosis of allergic eosinophilic gastropathy was made. Bee polen was discontinued. Abdominal pain and edema disappeared in five days. Four weeks later, the levels of serum albumin and total eosinophil returned to normal. (Turk Pediatri Ars 2015; 50: 189-92)

The presence of aeroallergens in food products: a potential risk for the patient with allergic rhinitis

“…An adult woman with personal history of seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis and honey intolerance, with heartburn and abdominal pain, developed eosinophilic gastroenteritis three weeks after starting ingestion of bee pollen 56 . Honey bee pollen supplement was also considered as a cause of eosinophilic gastroenteropathy in a young child without allergic rhinitis 57 . Other non-IgE adverse reactions to dietary bee pollen supplements included a phototoxic skin reaction to a product also containing ginseng and goldenseal 58 , and renal failure after prolonged administration (five months) 59 .…”