Asero R, Tripodi S, Dondi A, Di Rienzo Businco A, Sfika I, Bianchi A, Candelotti P, Caffarelli C, Povesi Dascola C, Ricci G, Calamelli E, Maiello N, Miraglia Del Giudice M, Frediani T, Frediani S, Macrì F, Moretti M, Dello Iacono I, Patria MF, Varin E, Peroni D, Comberiati P, Chini L, Moschese V, Lucarelli S, Bernardini R, Pingitore G, Pelosi U, Tosca M, Cirisano A, Faggian D, Plebani M, Verga C, Matricardi PM. Prevalence and Clinical Relevance of IgE Sensitization to Profilin in Childhood: A Multicenter Study.
Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2015;
168:25-31. [PMID:
26528861 DOI:
10.1159/000441222]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the prevalence and clinical relevance of hypersensitivity to the plant panallergen profilin in children.
OBJECTIVES
The present study aimed to investigate prevalence, risk factors and clinical relevance of profilin sensitization in a large cohort of Italian children of different ages living in different geographic areas.
METHODS
Children with pollen allergy enrolled by 16 pediatric outpatient clinics sited in three main geographic areas of Italy were studied. SPT were carried out with commercial pollen extracts and a commercial purified date palm pollen profilin. IgE specific for allergenic pollen molecules, Phl p 12 (grass profilin) and Pru p 3 (peach lipid transfer protein) were tested by ImmunoCAP FEIA.
RESULTS
IgE to Phl p 12 (≥0.35 kU/l) was observed in 296 of the 1,271 participants (23%), including 17 of the 108 (16%) preschool children. Profilin SPT was positive (≥3 mm) in 320/1,271 (25%) participants. The two diagnostic methods were concordant in 1,151 (91%, p < 0.0001) cases. Phl p 12 IgE prevalence declined from northern to southern Italy and was directly associated with IgE to Phl p 1 and/or Phl p 5 and Ole e 1. Among children with IgE to Phl p 12, OAS was provoked by kiwi, melon, watermelon, banana, apricot and cucumber.
CONCLUSIONS
Profilin sensitization is very frequent among pollen-allergic children, occurs at a very young age and contributes to the development of childhood OAS with a typical pattern of offending foods. Pediatricians should always consider IgE sensitization to profilin while examining pollen-allergic children, even if they are at preschool age.
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