IgE reactivity to patatin-like latex allergen, Hev b 7, and to patatin of potato tuber, Sol t 1, in adults and children allergic to natural rubber latex.
BACKGROUND
Patients allergic to natural rubber latex (NRL) frequently show positive skin prick tests (SPT) and hypersensitivity reactions to various fruits, such as avocado, banana, and kiwi, as well as to vegetables such as potato.


METHODS
Hev b 7 was purified from NRL "C-serum" and Sol t 1 from potato extract, and they were detected by immunoblotting. IgE antibodies to Hev b 7 and Sol t 1 were measured with ELISA in sera from 35 adults and 35 children allergic to NRL. ELISA inhibition and immunoblotting were used to study allergen cross-reactivity. The in vivo reactivity of Hev b 7 and Sol t 1 were demonstrated in the SPT.


RESULTS
Seventeen (49%) of the 35 NRL-allergic adults had IgE antibodies to Hev b 7, in contrast to only one of the 35 NRL-allergic children. Fifteen (43%) of the NRL-allergic adults and 29 (83%) of the NRL-allergic children had IgE antibodies to Sol t 1. Ten (29%) of the adult sera showed IgE binding to both Sol t 1 and Hev b 7, and crosswise inhibition tests with pooled sera revealed marked cross-reactivity. In the SPT, both natural Hev b 7 and Sol t 1 were able to produce a wheal and flare reaction.


CONCLUSIONS
One-half of the NRL-allergic adults, but only one of the NRL-allergic children, had IgE antibodies to natural Hev b 7. These results suggest that Hev b 7 is an important NRL allergen for adults, but not for children. Elucidation of the clinical importance of the observed cross-reactivity between Hev b 7 and Sol t 1 requires further studies.
Seppälä
U
U
National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland.
Palosuo
T
T
Seppälä
U
U
Kalkkinen
N
N
Ylitalo
L
L
Reunala
T
T
Turjanmaa
K
K
Reunala
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis*; D007223:Infant; D007428:Intradermal Tests; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D012408:Rubber / Q000009:adverse effects; D011198:Solanum tuberosum / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D010940:Plant Proteins; C113002:allergen Hev b 7; C043222:patatin protein, Solanum tuberosum; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D012408:Rubber; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases