Differences among pollen-allergic patients with and without plant food allergy.
BACKGROUND
A considerable number of pollen-allergic patients develops allergy to plant foods, which has been attributed to cross-reactivity between food and pollen allergens. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences among pollen-allergic patients with and without plant food allergy.


METHODS
Eight hundred and six patients were recruited from 8 different hospitals. Each clinical research group included 100 patients (50 plant food-allergic patients and 50 pollen-allergic patients). Diagnosis of pollen allergy was based on typical case history of pollen allergy and positive skin prick tests. Diagnosis of plant-food allergy was based on clear history of plant-food allergy, skin prick tests and/or plant-food challenge tests. A panel of 28 purified allergens from pollens and/or plant foods was used to quantify specific IgE (ADVIA-Centaur® platform).


RESULTS
Six hundred and sixty eight patients (83%) of the 806 evaluated had pollen allergy: 396 patients with pollen allergy alone and 272 patients with associated food and pollen allergies. A comparison of both groups showed a statistically significant increase in the food and pollen allergy subgroup in frequency of: (1) asthma (47 vs. 59%; p < 0.001); (2) positive skin test results to several pollens: Plantago, Platanus, Artemisia, Betula, Parietaria and Salsola (p < 0.001); (3) sensitization to purified allergens: Pru p 3, profilin, Pla a 1 - Pla a 2, Sal k 1, PR-10 proteins and Len c 1.


CONCLUSIONS
Results showed relevant and significant differences between both groups of pollen-allergic patients depending on whether or not they suffered from plant-derived food allergy.
Cuesta-Herranz
Javier
J
Allergy Department, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain. j.cuestaherranz@gmail.com
Barber
Domingo
D
Blanco
Carlos
C
Cistero-Bahíma
Ana
A
Crespo
Jesús F
JF
Fernández-Rivas
Montserrat
M
Fernández-Sánchez
Javier
J
Florido
J Fernando
JF
Ibáñez
M Dolores
MD
Rodríguez
Rosalía
R
Salcedo
Gabriel
G
Garcia
Blanca E
BE
Lombardero
Manuel
M
Quiralte
Joaquin
J
Rodriguez
Julia
J
Sánchez-Monge
Rosa
R
Vereda
Andrea
A
Villalba
Mayte
M
Alonso Díaz de Durana
M Dolores
MD
Basagaña
Maria
M
Carrillo
Teresa
T
Fernández-Nieto
Mar
M
Tabar
Ana I
AI
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010945:Plants, Edible / Q000276:immunology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests
D007073:Immunoglobulin E