ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Shiitake dermatitis has been reported mostly from Japan and characterized by distinctive pattern of itchy skin eruption after the ingestion of raw shiitake mushrooms. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate clinical, laboratory and histopathologic profiles about shiitake dermatitis occurring in Korea. METHODS: From 1997 to 2001, we had observed 58 patients with shiitake dermatitis and investigated clinical, laboratory and histopathologic aspects. RESULT: Most patients with shiitake dermatitis presented with a very strong itching sensation, which was accompanied with linearly grouped or disseminated small erythematous papules. 53 patients(91%) had noticed their skin eruption within 3 days after eating shiitake mushrooms. The involved sites were trunk, extremities, neck and face in decreasing order of frequency. Laboratory and histopathologic findings were nonspecific. In 33 patients(57%), the eruption occurred after eating boiled or panbroiled shiitake mushrooms. CONCLUSION: In this study, clinical, laboratory and histopathologic findings of shiitake dermatitis were almost consistent with the previous reports. But, contrary to the previous reports in Japan, many cases with shiitake dermatitis occurred on eating sufficiently boiled or cooked shiitake mushrooms. This may imply another eiologic factor different from thermolabile toxin.