Profilin cross-reactive panallergen causes latex sensitization in the pediatric population allergic to pollen.

Background: Component-resolved diagnostics (CRD) has been demonstrated to be an excellent new tool for improving the current diagnosis of allergies, and it allows differentiation between polysensitization and cross-reactivity.

Objective: To demonstrate the role of cross-reactive pollen allergens in pediatric patients living in areas with large amounts of airborne grass pollen grains who are sensitive to grass pollen and latex.

Methods: Serum samples were obtained from 106 children between 3 and 14 years of age diagnosed with allergies to pollen based on clinical history, skin prick tests, and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE). None of them had allergy symptoms to latex or fruits. From these 106 children, 56 patients revealed positive results to Phleum-specific major allergens but not to cross-reactive allergens. The other 50 patients who showed positive specific IgE to Phleum-specific major allergens and to cross-reactive pollen allergens also showed positive results to latex allergens. CRD was carried out by specific IgE quantification using a fluoro-enzyme immunoassay (ImmunoCAPT System).

Results: Results demonstrated a positive significant relationship between the specific IgE to Hev b 8 and Phl p 12 and also between the specific IgE to Hev b 8 and latex extract in the group of patients sensitized to species-specific and cross-reactive Phleum allergens. Positive significant relationships were also found between profilin and avocado or peach sensitizations. No other latex allergens gave positive results.

Conclusion: The apparent sensitization to latex in pediatric patients allergic to grass pollen is caused by the cross-reactive profilin panallergen; however, it is appears not to be clinically relevant.