L’olivier, une richesse méditerranéenne au prix d’une allergie complexe

Abstract

The olive tree (Olea europea L.) is a characteristic tree of Mediterranean basin countries, responsible for the most frequent pollinosis. This pollinosis is influenced by climate change, which can anticipate flowering dates, increase the quantity of pollen produced, and the pollen season length. The occurrence of olive pollinosis mainly depends on HLA class II, IL-13 and IL-4RA genes; and environment factors, such as socioeconomic and nutritional status, physical activity and exposure to different stimuli. Among deferent categories of molecular allergens involved in olive pollinosis, Ole e 1 is the main allergen, and the presence of homology between these allergens, and those of other species from the Oleaceae family and other different taxons (Poaceae), is responsible for cross-reactions. Polysensitization is a major challenge in the diagnostic and therapeutic approach and highlights the importance of using molecular allergens in the pollinosis diagnostic. Furthermore, allergy to the olive tree has nowadays benefited from progress in specific immunotherapy, thanks in particular to the development of a strategy based on allergenic peptides as an alternative to whole olive tree pollen extracts.