Update: molecular diagnostics of allergies to vegetables and fruits

Abstract

Most studies on the prevalence of food allergy report regional data. Pan-European multicenter cross-sectional studies on the prevalence of food allergies such as investigated within the framework of the EuroPrevall project are unfortunately not yet published. Based on published data, however, allergies to fruits and vegetables are among the most prevalent in food allergies in adolescence and adulthood. The current review on molecular diagnostics of fruit and vegetable allergies summarizes data on allergen component-based diagnosis gained primarily from patients with challenge-confirmed food allergies and focuses on the most frequent fruit and vegetable allergies, such as to carrot, celeriac, tomato, kiwifruit and peach, as the most important representative of the Rosaceae fruits. Such studies indicate the impact of component-specific diagnostics on the improvement of sensitivity and partially also specificity of in vitro diagnostics of food allergy. Furthermore, identification of marker allergens associated with a higher risk of developing severe systemic reactions will continuously improve the future management of patients with food allergy.