title: Can serum white birch (Betula verrucosa) pollen antigen (Bet v 1) immunoglobulin E measurement distinguish between sensitization and allergy?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In clinical practice, it is fundamental to distinguish between sensitization and allergy, mainly with respect to polysensitized patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) to white birch (Betula verrucosa) pollen antigen (Bet v 1) assessment might be able to differentiate simple sensitization from true allergy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 197 subjects (100 females; mean age 44.9 years) with serum Bet v 1 IgE positivity and history of nasal symptoms were evaluated. Subjects were subdivided in 2 groups: allergic and sensitized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Allergic patients were 58.4% of the total; they had higher serum Bet v 1 IgE levels than sensitized subjects (p < 0.001). A serum IgE to Bet v 1 value >8.94 kilo units of allergen per liter (kUA/L) was able to differentiate between sensitization and allergy (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.76; diagnostic odds ratio, ie, degree of agreement between health status and dichotomized IgE levels [DOR] = 6.5). Gender and season when the blood was drawn influenced IgE levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum Bet v 1 IgE measurement may be able to differentiate sensitization from allergy in subjects with sensitization to Betulaceae pollen allergens. Thus, Bet v 1 IgE measurement should be considered a useful step in the management of patients with allergic rhinitis due to Betulaceae pollen allergens.
authors.affiliation: Allergy Department, National Institute For Cancer Research-University Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico - Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (IRCCS-AOU) San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciprandi
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, IRCCS-AOU San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Comite
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, IRCCS-AOU San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferrero
authors.affiliation: Allergy Department, National Institute For Cancer Research-University Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico - Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (IRCCS-AOU) San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Minale
authors.affiliation: Allergy Department, National Institute For Cancer Research-University Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico - Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (IRCCS-AOU) San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Voltolini
authors.affiliation: Allergy Department, National Institute For Cancer Research-University Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico - Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (IRCCS-AOU) San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bignardi
authors.affiliation: Clinical Epidemiology Unit; IRCCS-AOU San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fontana
authors.affiliation: Clinical Epidemiology Unit; IRCCS-AOU San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bruzzone
authors.affiliation: Allergy Department, National Institute For Cancer Research-University Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico - Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (IRCCS-AOU) San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Costantino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Troise
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, IRCCS-AOU San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mussap
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000276:immunology*; D029662:Betula / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; C061312:Bet v 1 allergen, Betula; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: Bet v 1; allergic rhinitis; allergy; sensitization; serum IgE