Cross-reactivity between Platanus pollen and vegetables.
BACKGROUND
Several associations have been described between tree and plant pollens and certain foods. The objective of this study is to verify whether there is cross-reactivity between Platanus pollen and vegetable origin foods.


METHODS
We selected 56 patients allergic to vegetable foods and subjected them to cutaneous tests with aeroallergens and vegetable foods. A statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the association of Platanus pollen with foods and with other aeroallergens. Later, a specific IgE determination was performed as well as a RAST (radioallergosorbent) inhibition experiment, to verify the existence of cross-reactivity in vitro.


RESULTS
In the cutaneous tests we found a positive correlation between Platanus pollen and hazelnut, peanut, banana and celery. The results of the RAST inhibition experiment indicate an important cross-reactivity between the pollen of Platanus acerifolia and hazelnut and banana fruit, and an intermediate cross-reactivity with celery and peanut.


CONCLUSIONS
We have described an association between the pollen of the Platanus tree and some vegetable foods such as hazelnut, banana, peanut and celery. This association could be explained by the in vitro IgE cross-reactivity detected.
Miralles
J C
JC
Allergy Section, University General Hospital, Murcia, Spain.
Caravaca
F
F
Guillén
F
F
Lombardero
M
M
Negro
J M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D005638:Fruit / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009754:Nuts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D012882:Skin Tests; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014675:Vegetables / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E