Pollen-food syndromes

Egger, M., Mutschlechner, S., Wopfner, N. et al. 2006. Pollen-food syndromes associated with weed pollinosis An update from the molecular point of view. Allergy 61 461-476. 

In addition to class 1 (complete) food allergens, numerous class 2 (pollen-related) food allergens were identified that do not act as primary sensitizers, but elicit IgE-mediated reactions due to the cross-reactivity to homologous proteins. Accordingly, these reactions were termed pollen-fruit syndrome, and a prominent example for this pollen-related food allergy is the birch-fruit syndrome. ... 

Nevertheless, cross-reactive IgE antibodies may cause positive SPTs without clinical symptoms, e.g., in the pollen-fruit syndrome, and thus reduce specificity. Nowadays, only recombinant food allergens of pharmaceutical grade can be applied for SPTs which means reproducible production criteria under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines. 

Yagami, T. 2002. Allergies to cross-reactive plant proteins. Latex-fruit syndrome is comparable with pollen-food allergy syndrome. IntArch Allergy Immunol 128 271-279. 

It has sometimes been claimed that SLIT can lead to an increased risk in patients suffering from the oral allergy syndrome. The sublingual administration of pollen allergens which are cross-reacting with food allergens may in fact... 

To date, several plant food-derived profilins have been characterized, most of them being evidently involved in PFS. Hazelnut profilin Cor a 2 and the profilins from Rosaceae fruits strawberry Fra a 4, apple Mai d 4, cherry Pru av 4, almond Pru du 4, peach Pru p 4, and pear Pyr c 4, for example, are considered to cross-react with grass and/or birch pollen Bet v 2 profilin (van Ree et al. 1995). Reactions to celery Api g 4 and carrot Dau c 4 are observed in patients with concomitant birch- or mugwort pollen allergy (celery-mugwort-spice syndrome) (Egger et al. 2006). The... 

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