Component-resolved in vitro diagnosis of hazelnut allergy in Europe.
BACKGROUND
Food allergy to hazelnut occurs both with and without concomitant pollen allergy.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to evaluate a panel of hazelnut allergens for diagnosis of hazelnut allergy in Spain, Switzerland, and Denmark.


METHODS
Fifty-two patients with a positive double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge result with hazelnuts; 5 patients with a history of anaphylaxis; 62 patients with pollen allergy but hazelnut tolerance; and 63 nonatopic control subjects were included. Serum IgE levels to hazelnut extract, recombinant hazelnut allergens (rCor a 1.04, rCor a 2, rCor a 8, rCor a 11), and native allergens (nCor a 9, nCor a Bd8K, nCor a Bd11K) were analyzed by means of ImmunoCAP.


RESULTS
Among patients with hazelnut allergy, 91% (Switzerland/Spain, 100%; Denmark, 75%) had IgE to hazelnut extract, 75% to rCor a 1.04, 42% to rCor a 2, 28% to rCor a 8, and 2% to rCor a 11. The highest rate of sensitization to Cor a 1.04 was found in the northern regions (Switzerland/Denmark, 100%; Spain, 18%), whereas IgE to the lipid transfer protein rCor a 8 prevailed in Spain (Spain, 71%; Switzerland, 15%; Denmark, 5%). IgE to profilin rCor a 2 was equally distributed (40% to 45%). Among control subjects with pollen allergy, 61% had IgE to hazelnut extract, 69% to rCor a 1.04, 34% to rCor a 2, 10% to rCor a 8, and 6% to rCor a 11.


CONCLUSIONS
Component-resolved in vitro analyses revealed substantial differences in IgE profiles of hazelnut allergic and hazelnut tolerant patients across Europe.
Allergy Clinic, National University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. ksh@dadlnet.dk
Kirsten Skamstrup
KS
Hansen
Barbara K
BK
Ballmer-Weber
Joaquin
J
Sastre
Jonas
J
Lidholm
Kerstin
K
Andersson
Hubert
H
Oberhofer
Magdalena
M
Lluch-Bernal
Jonas
J
Ostling
Lars
L
Mattsson
Frauke
F
Schocker
Stefan
S
Vieths
Lars K
LK
Poulsen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D031211:Corylus / Q000276:immunology*; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D021184:Nut Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013030:Spain; D013557:Switzerland; D055815:Young Adult
D000485:Allergens; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E