Hypersensitivity reactions to marijuana

Details

• Personal Author:
  Beezhold, Donald H. ; Berlin N ; Chung EC ; Leader N ; Sussman G ; Tessmer A
• Description:
  In this study, marijuana hypersensitivity was demonstrated with a crude uncharacterized SPT reagent, andlarge wheal and flare responses were observed; suggesting type 1 sensitization to proteins of the cannabis plant. Five C sativa IgE-binding proteins have been reported, ranging from 10 to 68 kDa, using serum samples from an allergic patient, and a 9-kDa LTP has been positively identified. Some marijuana allergic patients have positive SPT results to ragweed, pigweed, and tomato plants, indicating possible cross-reactivity. Moreover, work-related contact urticaria has been reported in forensic science laboratory technicians handling marijuana. Several reports have implicated contamination with Aspergillus as a potential source of allergens in marijuana, although only 1 of our patients had SPT reactivity to Aspergillus. Addressing marijuana allergy is difficult when assessing patient exposure history because patients may not voluntarily disclose this information even when experiencing symptoms. Future studies with standardized extracts will be needed to determine the specific allergens associated with marijuana allergy and to better understand and develop strategies for treatment. Allergic reactions to marijuana appear to be increasing in prevalence given the increasing social use of marijuana and its expanding use for medical and ingestion purposes. Because some of the reactions are severe, it is important that clinicians address marijuana exposure when assessing a patient's exposure history. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Drug Therapy Hypersensitivity Occupational Health Safety Skin
• Keywords:
  Allergens Allergic-reactions Allergies Drug-therapy Hallucinogens Humans Medical-screening Plant-substances Plants Skin-tests
• ISSN:
  1081-1206
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  282-284
• Volume:
  108
• Issue:
  4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20040722
• Citation:
  Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2012 Apr; 108(4):282-284
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2012
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:d4abdc5d8f521a13577ea365d9218346b30bd1f69df8a7ab78dbe256ad447e03be6825640171e29321d3c299c3016130612b25cf50a1da29004b0da51dcda95a
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/193487/cdc_193487_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 164.24 KB ]