Natural History of IgE-Mediated Fish Allergy in Children.

Background: Fish allergy is not uncommon, especially in countries with high fish consumption, it can frequently be severe and may affect dietetic and lifestyle choices. Nevertheless, data on its clinical course and natural history are scarce.

Objective: To describe the natural history of immunoglobulin E-mediated fish allergy and the potential differential reactivity to various fish species and identify prognostic markers in children with confirmed disease.

The prevalence and distribution of food sensitization in European adults.

Background: Complaints of 'food allergy' are increasing. Standardized surveys of IgE sensitization to foods are still uncommon and multicountry surveys are rare. We have assessed IgE sensitization to food-associated allergens in different regions of Europe using a common protocol.

Peanut-specific IgE antibodies in asymptomatic Ghanaian children possibly caused by carbohydrate determinant cross-reactivity.

Background: The prevalence of peanut allergy has increased in developed countries, but little is known about developing countries with high peanut consumption and widespread parasitic infections.

Objective: We sought to investigate peanut allergy in Ghana.

Methods: In a cross-sectional survey among Ghanaian schoolchildren (n = 1604), data were collected on reported adverse reactions to peanut, peanut sensitization (serum specific IgE and skin reactivity), consumption patterns, and parasitic infections.

Molecular characterization of Api g 2, a novel allergenic member of the lipid-transfer protein 1 family from celery stalks.

Scope: Celery represents a relevant cross-reactive food allergen source in the adult population. As the currently known allergens are not typical elicitors of severe symptoms, we aimed to identify and characterize a non-specific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP).

Methods And Results: MS and cDNA cloning were applied to obtain the full-length sequence of a novel allergenic nsLTP from celery stalks.

Isolation, cloning, and characterization of the 2S albumin: a new allergen from hazelnut.

Scope: 2S albumins are the major allergens involved in severe food allergy to nuts, seeds, and legumes. We aimed to isolate, clone, and express 2S albumin from hazelnut and determine its allergenicity.

Methods: 2S albumin from hazelnut extract was purified using size exclusion chromatography and RP-HPLC.

Olive oil adulterated with hazelnut oils: simulation to identify possible risks to allergic consumers.

According to European Union Regulation EC 1531/2001, olive oil labelled as "extra-virgin" should be cold-pressed and contain no refined oil or oil from other oleaginous seeds or nuts. Adulteration of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) with hazelnut oil (HAO) is a serious concern both for oil suppliers and consumers. The high degree of similarity between the two fats complicates the detection of low percentages of HAO in EVOO.

In vitro digestibility of beta-casein and beta-lactoglobulin under simulated human gastric and duodenal conditions: a multi-laboratory evaluation.

Initially the resistance to digestion of two cow's milk allergens, beta-casein, and beta-lactoglobulin (beta-Lg), was compared using a "high-protease assay" and a "low-protease assay" in a single laboratory. The low-protease assay represents an alternative standardised protocol mimicking conditions found in the gastrointestinal tract. For the high-protease assay, both proteins were incubated with either pepsin or pancreatin and digestion monitored by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography.

Diminished response to grass pollen allergen challenge in subjects with concurrent house dust mite allergy.

Introduction: The clinical manifestation of allergic rhinitis is influenced by many factors; while different subpopulations are not well defined. Different combinations of allergic sensitization may lead to different clinical manifestations of allergic disease.

Methods: In a nasal allergen challenge model we compared allergic rhinitis symptoms between subjects mono-sensitized to grass pollen or house dust mite, poly-sensitized subjects, and healthy controls.

Purification and characterisation of relevant natural and recombinant apple allergens.

Apple (Malus domestica) is the most widely cultivated fruit crop in Europe and frequently causes allergic reactions with a variable degree of severity. So far, four apple allergens Mal d 1, Mal d 2, Mal d 3 and Mal d 4 have been identified. Mal d 1, a Bet v 1 related allergen, and Mal d 4, apple profilin, are sensitive to proteolytic degradation, whereas Mal d 2, a thaumatin-like protein and Mal d 3, a nonspecific lipid transfer protein, are rather stable to proteolytic processes.

Evaluation by double-blind placebo-controlled oral challenge of the clinical relevance of IgE antibodies against plant glycans.

Background: The clinical relevance of immunoglobulin E (IgE) to plant glycans is a longstanding debate. We sought to evaluate their clinical reactivity using the human glycoprotein lactoferrin expressed in rice.

Methods: Allergic patients with IgE antibodies against plant glycans were analyzed for the presence of IgE against rice-produced lactoferrin.

Purification and structural stability of the peach allergens Pru p 1 and Pru p 3.

Pru p 1 (a Bet v 1 homologue) and Pru p 3 (a nonspecific lipid transfer protein; nsLTP) are major allergenic proteins in peach fruit, but differ in their abundance and stability. Pru p 1 has low abundance and is highly labile and was purified after expression as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli. Pru p 3 is highly abundant in peach peel and was purified by conventional methods.

The prevalence of plant food allergies: a systematic review.

Background: There is uncertainty regarding the prevalence of allergies to plant food.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of allergies to plant food according to the different subjective and objective assessment methods.

Methods: Our systematic search of population-based studies (since 1990) in the literature database MEDLINE focused on fruits, vegetables/legumes, tree nuts, wheat, soy, cereals, and seeds.

Measurement of lipid transfer protein in 88 apple cultivars.

Background: Fruits are a major cause of food allergy in adults. Lipid transfer proteins (LTP) are implicated in severe allergic reactions to fruits, but little is known about LTP content in different cultivars.

Objective: Determination of the levels of LTP in a wide range of apple cultivars.

The prevalence of food allergy: a meta-analysis.

Background: There is uncertainty about the prevalence of food allergy in communities.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of food allergy by performing a meta-analysis according to the method of assessment used.

Methods: The foods assessed were cow's milk, hen's egg, peanut, fish, shellfish, and an overall estimate of food allergy.

Lipid transfer protein allergy: primary food allergy or pollen/food syndrome in some cases.

Purpose Of Review: To summarize recent findings on non-specific lipid transfer proteins in food allergy, with a specific focus on the localization, stability and route of sensitization.

Recent Findings: Plant non-specific lipid transfer proteins are major food allergens, especially in the Mediterranean area. They have been identified as allergens in a number of foods and the list grows ever longer.

Optimized techniques for the extraction of grape allergens appropriate for in vivo and in vitro testing and diagnosis.

Standardized allergen extracts are needed for diagnosis and therapy purposes. For grapes, standardization is hampered by low protein and high tannin and pectin concentrations. The aim of the current study was to develop an optimized method for the extraction of grape proteins and possibly extend this to other fruits.

Severe immediate allergic reactions to grapes: part of a lipid transfer protein-associated clinical syndrome.

Background: Grape allergy is considered rare; grape lipid transfer protein (LTP; Vit v 1), an endochitinase and a thaumatin-like protein (TLP) have been reported as grape allergens. A considerable number of patients have referred to our department for severe reactions to grapes, and several IgE binding proteins were detected.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify and characterise the allergens involved in severe allergic reactions to grapes and describe the population in which they occur.

Allergenicity assessment of apple cultivars: hurdles in quantifying labile fruit allergens.

Background: Assessment of allergenicity of foods is important for allergic consumers and regulators. Immunoassays to measure major food allergens are widely applied, often giving variable results. Using the major apple allergen Mal d 1 as a model, we aimed to establish at the molecular level why different immunoassays for assessing allergenicity of apple cultivars produce conflicting outcomes.

Characterization of recombinant Mal d 4 and its application for component-resolved diagnosis of apple allergy.

Background: Profilins are ubiquitous panallergens that have been extensively characterized; yet, their clinical relevance is still unclear.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to produce recombinant apple profilin (rMal d 4) and to evaluate its allergenic activity and its potency for component-resolved allergy diagnosis.

Methods: Complementary DNA-derived Mal d 4 was cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli and subsequently purified via poly (l-proline) sepharose.

Apple allergy across Europe: how allergen sensitization profiles determine the clinical expression of allergies to plant foods.

Background: Allergy to a plant food can either result from direct sensitization to that food or from primary sensitization to pollen, latex, or another food.

Objective: We sought to investigate the primary sensitizers in apple allergy across Europe, the individual allergens involved, and whether these differences determine the clinical presentation.

Methods: Patients (n = 389) with positive case histories and skin prick test responses to fresh apple were selected in the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, and Spain.

Effect of in vitro gastric and duodenal digestion on the allergenicity of grape lipid transfer protein.

Background: Severe grape allergy has been linked to lipid transfer protein (LTP) sensitization. LTPs are known to be resistant to pepsin digestion, although the effect of gastroduodenal digestion on its allergenicity has not been reported.

Objective: We sought to investigate the effect of gastric and gastroduodenal digestion on the allergenic activity of grape LTP.

Effect of postharvest storage on the expression of the apple allergen Mal d 1.

Consumption of fresh apples can cause allergy in susceptible individuals. A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed to determine Mal d 1 levels in apple pulp using a monoclonal antibody (BIP-1). The ELISA was able to rank ten cultivars according to their Mal d 1 content (between 3.