Prevalence of sensitization to mugwort pollen allergens and association with food allergy to peach

• Published in: Journal of allergy and clinical immunology 2004-02, Vol.113 (2), p.S228-S228
• Main Authors: Polo, F., García-Sellés, F.J., García-Casado, G., Lombardero, M., Chamorro, M.J., Sánchez-Monge, R., Salcedo, G., Barber, D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0091-6749; 1097-6825
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2004.01.275

The aim of this work was to assess in vivo the pattern of sensitization to an array of Artemisia vulgaris pollen allergens in a Mediterranean population, and to study the possible association of sensitization to Art v 3 and other relevant LTP allergens: Par j 1 and Pru p 3. 24 mugwort pollen-allergic patients were selected on the basis of positive SPT, specific IgE and positive nasal provocation tests. SPT was performed with pure natural pollen allergens Art v 1, Art v 3, Art v 60-kDa –no systematic name yet- and Par j 1, and with a peach extract with known Pru p 3 concentration. In vitro assays included measurement of specific IgE to pure allergens and ELISA-inhibition among LTP allergens. The three mugwort allergens elicited a positive SPT in 70–80% of patients. A significant correlation, both in wheal areas and IgE levels, was observed between the mugwort extract and each of the mugwort allergens. Fourteen patients had a positive SPT to peach extract, and a highly significant correlation between the skin responses to peach extract and Art v 3 was found. Art v 3 significantly inhibited the binding of IgE from three patients' sera to Pru p 3. Pru p 3 and Par j 1 could not inhibit the IgE-binding to the other allergens. It has been shown that Art v 1, Art v 3 and Art v 60-kDa are major mugwort pollen allergens. Besides, Art v 3 seems to be the primary sensitizing agent in some peach-allergic patients.