title: Basophil histamine release in patients with birch pollen hypersensitivity with and without allergic symptoms to fruits.
abstract: Histamine release (HR) studies were performed in 40 birch pollen-allergic patients (positive case history, positive SPT, positive birch pollen-specific serum IgE: RAST > or = 3) with (n = 20, A) and without (n = 20, B) fruit hypersensitivity, and 10 nonatopic volunteers (C). Several fruit allergens were used and characterized by protein determination and immunoblot techniques. Dose-dependent HR (apple peel = apple pulp > peach = cherry) was demonstrated in both allergic groups, but to a higher extent in patients with fruit allergy (P < 0.01). Increased basophil sensitivity to birch pollen was found in the group with fruit allergy (P < 0.001). Strong correlations between the mediator response induced by several fruits indicate common allergens within the extracts. We conclude that fruit-related symptoms require not only high specific serum IgE, but a strong cellular sensitization to birch pollen allergens together with an increased cellular reactivity to fruit allergens.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Clinical Immunology and Asthma OPD, University Hospital Rudolf Virchow, Free University, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kleine-Tebbe
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galleani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jeep
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pilz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baisch
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kunkel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D001491:Basophils / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D005638:Fruit / Q000276:immunology*; D006636:Histamine Release; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D014197:Trees / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E