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.
Hansen
Kirsten Skamstrup
KS
Allergy Clinic, National University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. ksh@dadlnet.dk
Ballmer-Weber
Barbara K
BK
Sastre
Joaquin
J
Lidholm
Jonas
J
Andersson
Kerstin
K
Oberhofer
Hubert
H
Lluch-Bernal
Magdalena
M
Ostling
Jonas
J
Mattsson
Lars
L
Schocker
Frauke
F
Vieths
Stefan
S
Poulsen
Lars K
LK
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