Abstract
BackgroundPeanuts contain potent food allergens and the prevalence of allergy is reported to increase, especially in children. Since peanut sensitization may differ between different geographical regions, we wanted to investigate the sensitization pattern to the individual peanut allergens in a Norwegian population.MethodsCases reported to the Norwegian Food Allergy Register with sera positive to peanut extract were analyzed for specific IgE (sIgE) to the recombinant peanut allergens Ara h 1, Ara h 2, Ara h 3, Ara h 8 and Ara h 9 and to birch pollen extract. Serum samples negative to the above allergens were analyzed for sIgE to Ara h 6, and sIgE to Pru p 3 in peach were analyzed in sera positive to the cross-reactive allergen Ara h 9.ResultsHighest frequency of sIgE to Ara h 2, often co-sensitized to Ara h 1 and 3, were found in the small children up to 6 years of age. From the age of 6 years, sensitization to Ara h 8 was predominant. The sIgE levels to the storage proteins Ara h 1, 2 and 3 were strongly correlated, as was the sIgE levels to Ara h 8 and birch pollen extract. A low sensitization rate of sIgE to Ara h 9 in young adults was observed, which sIgE levels were very strongly correlated to Pru p 3.ConclusionThe sensitization to peanut allergens in a Norwegian population shows a clear age dependent pattern. The results add to the previously published research on the sensitization patterns of peanut sensitized patients in different geographical areas.
Highlights
Peanuts contain potent food allergens and the prevalence of allergy is reported to increase, especially in children
The major peanut allergens Ara h 1, 2 and 3 belong to the seed storage proteins of the vicilin, conglutin and glycinin families, respectively, and are considered to be responsible for the original sensitization to peanut in susceptible individuals
A total of 1250 sera submitted to the Food Allery Register, routinely analyzed for specific IgE (sIgE) to a panel of food allergens including peanut, birch- and timothy pollen were screened for sIgE to peanut extract
Summary
Peanuts contain potent food allergens and the prevalence of allergy is reported to increase, especially in children. The estimated prevalence of peanut allergy is between 0.5 and 2.0 % and appears to be increasing especially in children [3,4,5]. The major peanut allergens Ara h 1, 2 and 3 belong to the seed storage proteins of the vicilin, conglutin and glycinin families, respectively, and are considered to be responsible for the original sensitization to peanut in susceptible individuals. The seed storage proteins are stable and associated with increased risk of severe reactions or anaphylaxis. The storage protein Ara h 6, a conglutin, has sequence identities to Ara h 2 and is reported to be associated with clinical reactivity to peanut. The relationship between allergy to pollen and vegetables, nuts, peanuts and fruits is caused
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