title: Prevalence and Clinical Relevance of IgE Sensitization to Profilin in Childhood: A Multicenter Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about the prevalence and clinical relevance of hypersensitivity to the plant panallergen profilin in children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to investigate prevalence, risk factors and clinical relevance of profilin sensitization in a large cohort of Italian children of different ages living in different geographic areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children with pollen allergy enrolled by 16 pediatric outpatient clinics sited in three main geographic areas of Italy were studied. SPT were carried out with commercial pollen extracts and a commercial purified date palm pollen profilin. IgE specific for allergenic pollen molecules, Phl p 12 (grass profilin) and Pru p 3 (peach lipid transfer protein) were tested by ImmunoCAP FEIA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IgE to Phl p 12 (≥0.35 kU/l) was observed in 296 of the 1,271 participants (23%), including 17 of the 108 (16%) preschool children. Profilin SPT was positive (≥3 mm) in 320/1,271 (25%) participants. The two diagnostic methods were concordant in 1,151 (91%, p < 0.0001) cases. Phl p 12 IgE prevalence declined from northern to southern Italy and was directly associated with IgE to Phl p 1 and/or Phl p 5 and Ole e 1. Among children with IgE to Phl p 12, OAS was provoked by kiwi, melon, watermelon, banana, apricot and cucumber.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Profilin sensitization is very frequent among pollen-allergic children, occurs at a very young age and contributes to the development of childhood OAS with a typical pattern of offending foods. Pediatricians should always consider IgE sensitization to profilin while examining pollen-allergic children, even if they are at preschool age.
authors.affiliation: Allergology Service, San Carlo Clinic, Paderno Dugnano, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Asero
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tripodi
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dondi
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Rienzo Businco
authors.forename: Ifigenia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sfika
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Candelotti
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caffarelli
authors.forename: Carlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Povesi Dascola
authors.forename: Giampaolo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Calamelli
authors.forename: Nunzia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maiello
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miraglia Del Giudice
authors.forename: Tullio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frediani
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Frediani
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Macrì
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.forename: Iride
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dello Iacono
authors.forename: Maria Francesca
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Patria
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Varin
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peroni
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Comberiati
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chini
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Moschese
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lucarelli
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bernardini
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pingitore
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Pelosi
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tosca
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cirisano
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Faggian
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Plebani
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Verga
authors.forename: Paolo Maria
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Matricardi
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000276:immunology*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D018553:Cucumis sativus / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D006109:Poaceae / Q000276:immunology; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D015995:Prevalence; D051304:Profilins / Q000276:immunology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D051304:Profilins; C030363:lipid transfer protein; D007073:Immunoglobulin E