Anaphylaxis induced by lysozyme in Green cough

ABSTRACT

Lysozyme is a small protein composed of 129 amino acids with a molecular weight of 14.3 kD. In human, it is in the eye drop, saliva, nasal secretion, and gastric juice. Because of its bactericidal properties, this protein is used as an additive in various food and drug products. A 34-year-old female patient had visited at emergency room for generalized urticaria, angioedema, and dyspnea a few minutes after taking Green cough capsule which contains lysozyme. Her serum tryptase level measured by florescence enzyme immunoassay was 11 mg/mL. Skin prick tests with Green cough itself, and then with its 10 ingredients including lysozyme chloride showed strong positive reaction to Green cough and lysozyme chloride. Base on her symptoms and the results obtained from high level of serum trypase and skin prick tests, we have concluded her conditions to be an anaphylaxis induced by lysozyme.