Recombinant birch allergens (Bet v 1 and Bet v 2) and the oral allergy syndrome in patients allergic to birch pollen.
BACKGROUND
IgE cross-reactivity between pollen and food allergens represents the molecular basis for oral allergy syndrome (OAS).


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate specific IgE for Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 in the serum of patients sensitized to birch pollen and to identify whether IgE antibodies to Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 were predictors of OAS.


METHODS
Thirty-three patients with skin prick test results and radioallergosorbent assay test results positive to birch pollen, 12 (36%) of whom had OAS symptoms, were enrolled in the study. Serum levels of specific IgE were determined by the fluoroenzyme immunoassay technique.


RESULTS
The t test revealed significantly higher serum IgE levels against Bet v 1, Bet v 2, and birch pollen in the 12 symptomatic patients with respect to those without OAS (32.4 vs 12.4 kU/L, 7.6 vs 1.3 kU/L, and 42.3 vs 17.3 kU/L, respectively). Attempts to establish a threshold value of serum IgE antibirch pollen and the appearance of OAS revealed that a level of 20 kU/L or more yields an efficiency of the test equal to 70%.


CONCLUSIONS
In our study, quantitative birch specific IgE level proved useful in predicting clinical allergy symptoms with birch exposure.
De Amici
M
M
Department of Pediatrics, University of Pavia, IRCCS Policlinic S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy. m.deamici@smatteo.pv.it
Mosca
M
M
Vignini
M
M
Quaglini
S
S
Moratti
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D029662:Betula / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D003285:Contractile Proteins; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D051304:Profilins; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests; D013577:Syndrome
D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D003285:Contractile Proteins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D051304:Profilins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E