In:
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, S. Karger AG, Vol. 167, No. 4 ( 2015), p. 264-269
Abstract:
〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Background: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 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. 〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Methods: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 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. 〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Results: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 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. 〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Conclusions: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 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 ( 〈 i 〉 Alnus acuminata 〈 /i 〉 , plant family Betulaceae) caused serological cross-reactivity with 〈 i 〉 Betula verrucosa 〈 /i 〉 -related allergens.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1018-2438
,
1423-0097
Language:
English
Publisher:
S. Karger AG
Publication Date:
2015
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1482722-0
