A case of black garlic-induced pneumonia as an adverse reaction

• Published in: Allergology International 2016-07, Vol.65 (3), p.353-355
• Main Authors: Suzuki, Yasuhito, Saito, Junpei, Misa, Kenichi, Fukuhara, Naoko, Fukuhara, Atsuro, Munakata, Mitsuru
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Biopsy; Dietary Supplements - adverse effects; Female; Garlic - adverse effects; Glucocorticoids - administration & dosage; Humans; Lung - diagnostic imaging; Lung - pathology; Pneumonia - diagnosis; Pneumonia - drug therapy; Pneumonia - etiology; Radiography, Thoracic; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1323-8930; 1440-1592
• DOI: 10.1016/j.alit.2016.02.009

Dear Editor, With an increase in health consciousness, the intake of food supplements such as multivitamins, multi-minerals, and herbal products has become widespread in the general population. However, little is known about the adverse effects of food supplement intake including supplement-induced pneumonia (SIP). We herein describe a case in which black garlic, a popular herbal food supplement, induced pneumonia. [Case report] A 77-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with dysp-noea and coughing in March 2014. She had hypertension and had been taking amlodipine for more than 10 years without any side effects. She had no history of smoking, allergies, or respiratory disorders. Around 3 weeks prior to hospitalization, she began taking black garlic. One week after first taking it, she started suffering from dyspnoea and coughing. Her physical examination on admission showed bilateral fine crackles with oxygen saturation of 92% on room air, but no fever.