title: Birch allergy and oral allergy syndrome: The practical relevance of serum immunoglobulin E to Bet v 1.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Birch allergy (BA) may frequently be associated with fruit-vegetables oral allergy syndrome (OAS). Bet v 1 is the major birch allergen. Previously, it was reported that serum-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) level could differentiate allergy from sensitization. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the practical role of Bet v 1 IgE.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 245 subjects (128 women, 117 men; mean age, 41 years) with suspected allergic rhinitis and sensitization to Bet v 1 were evaluated. Serum IgE to Bet v 1 was assessed by using immuno-enzymatic. BA and OAS were diagnosed according to validated criteria. Symptom severity perception was measured by the visual analog scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 158 patients (64.5%) had BA. Patients with BA had higher serum Bet v 1 IgE levels than subjects who were sensitized (p < 0.0001). A cutoff value of 8.94 kUA/L predicted BA (area under the curve, 0.76; odds ratio, 6.18). Fifty-three patients with BA (33.5%) had OAS. Patients positive for OAS had higher Bet v 1 levels (p < 0.0001) and more-severe symptoms (p < 0.0001) than patients with BA and negative for OAS. A cutoff value of 17.4 kUA/L predicted OAS (area under the curve, 0.59; odds ratio, 3.19).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study demonstrated that serum IgE levels to Bet v 1 could be a useful marker for differentiating between different birch pollen sensitization phenotypes.
authors.affiliation: Allergy Department, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico-Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciprandi
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Comite
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferrero
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bignardi
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Minale
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Voltolini
authors.forename: Costantino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Troise
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 / Q000276:immunology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012372:ROC Curve; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; C061312:Bet v 1 allergen, Betula; D007073:Immunoglobulin E