Age-dependent sensitization to the 7S-vicilin-like protein Cor a 11 from hazelnut (Corylus avellana) in a birch-endemic region.
BACKGROUND
Hazelnut (Corylus avellana) allergy exhibits age and geographically distinct sensitization patterns that have not yet been fully resolved.


OBJECTIVE
To study sensitization to Cor a 11 in different age groups of hazelnut-allergic patients and infants with atopic dermatitis (AD) sensitized to hazelnut in a birch-endemic region.


METHODS
Sera from 80 hazelnut-allergic patients, 33 infants under 1 year of age with AD (24 sensitized and 9 not sensitized to hazelnut), 32 healthy control individuals, and 29 birch pollen-allergic but hazelnut-tolerant individuals were tested for immunoglobulin (Ig) E reactivity to Cor a 11 by ImmunoCAP. IgE reactivity to Cor a 1.01, Cor a 1.04, Cor a 8, and Cor a 9 was studied by ISAC microarray.


RESULTS
Forty patients (22 preschool children, 10 schoolchildren, and 8 adults) with systemic reactions on consumption of hazelnut were sensitized to Cor a 11 (respective rates of 36%, 40%, and 12.5%). Forty patients (6 preschool children, 10 schoolchildren, and 24 adults) reported oral allergy syndrome but only 2 of them (of preschool age) were sensitized to Cor a 11. Two (8%) of the AD infants sensitized to hazelnut showed IgE reactivity to Cor a 11. This reactivity was not observed in any of the AD infants without sensitization to hazelnut, in any of the birch-pollen allergic patients without hazelnut allergy, or in any of the healthy control individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
Sensitization to Cor a 11 in a birch-endemic region is predominantly found in children with severe hazelnut allergy, a finding that is consistent with observations concerning sensitization to Cor a 9.
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Immunology-Allergology-Rheumatology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
M M
MM
Verweij
M M
MM
Hagendorens
S
S
Trashin
T
T
Cucu
B
B
De Meulenaer
B
B
Devreese
C H
CH
Bridts
L S
LS
De Clerck
D G
DG
Ebo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D001530:Belgium; D029662:Betula / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D031211:Corylus / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D021184:Nut Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
D000485:Allergens; C562011:Cor a 11 allergen, hazelnut; D010940:Plant Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E