title: Bet v 1- and Bet v 2-Associated Plant Food Sensitization in Uganda and Germany: Differences and Similarities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Birch pollen allergy and concomitant plant food sensitization are well documented in Europe. However, there are currently no data available on pollen-associated plant food sensitization or even pollen allergy in tropical Africa. Our study aimed to investigate Bet v 1- and Bet v 2-associated plant food sensitization in atopic patients from Uganda and compare it with sensitization rates in German patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sera from 83 Ugandan and 97 German atopic patients were analysed using UniCAP100™ for allergen-specific IgE against the birch tree pollen allergens Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 as well as the plant foods hazelnut, apple, kiwi, pea, peach, cherry, litchi, peanut, and soy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As expected, sensitization to Bet v 1 and cross-reactive plant food allergens was more common in German atopic patients. In contrast, the prevalence of sensitization against Bet v 2 was remarkably similar in Ugandan and German patients. Interestingly, in Ugandan patients we found IgE-mediated sensitization against plant foods such as hazelnut, pea, peach, cherry, and litchi that are neither cultivated nor consumed in Uganda.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For Ugandan atopic patients, sensitization against the Bet v 2 allergen (a plant profilin) may explain cross-reactivity to several plant foods which are not consumed in Uganda. Additionally, it is probable that sensitization of Ugandan atopics to alder pollen (Alnus acuminata, plant family Betulaceae) caused serological cross-reactivity with Betula verrucosa-related allergens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Mbarara, Mbarara, Uganda.
authors.forename: Leo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Odongo
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mulyowa
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goebeler
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trautmann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; C530739:BETV2 protein, Betula pendula; C061312:Bet v 1 allergen, Betula; D007073:Immunoglobulin E