D2.37 - Prevalence of food cross-sensitization due to PR-10 proteins among patients of different age groups

Respiratory manifestations of allergy, in particular allergic rhinitis and asthma, are among the most common manifestations of hypersensitivity to tree allergens. Cross-food allergy due to PR-10 proteins is also common.

Results of a multiplex test (determination of specific IgE to 112 allergenic proteins using the ImmunoCap ISAC test system) of 553 patients were analyzed. Among the examined were 291 adults, 141 children aged 0 to 6 years inclusive, 121 children aged 7 to 18 years.

Among all age groups of the examined, the most frequent cause of cross-sensitization was PR-10-allergenic proteins, as a result of which sensitization to Cor a1 of hazelnut, Mal d1 of apple and Pru p1 of peach was most common, and in the older group of children and adults also to the PR-10 component of peanut – Ara h8. Sensitization to Gly m4 (PR-10 soy protein) was almost at the same level in all age groups. The frequency of sensitization to the indicated proteins correlated with the frequency of sensitization to PR-10 birch allergen Bet v1. Sensitization to PR-10 kiwi protein was at the lowest level, which is possibly related to the peculiarities of nutrition in the examined population.

PR-10 proteins have significant cross-reactivity. The most common food allergens that cross-react with tree pollen in different age groups are hazelnut, apple, and peach allergens.