Lipid Transfer Protein allergy in the United Kingdom: Characterization and comparison with a matched Italian cohort

Isabel Skypala, L. Cecchi, M. H. Shamji, E. Scala, Stephen J. Till

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    Abstract

    Background:
    Although pollen-related food allergy occurs in all European populations, Lipid Transfer Protein (LTP) allergy is considered to manifests mainly in Mediterranean countries. We aimed to characterise adults presenting with LTP allergy in a Northern European country.
    Method:
    The clinical history and sensitisation patterns of subjects born and residing in the United Kingdom (UK), with a prior diagnosis of LTP allergy and sensitisation to the peach LTP allergen Pru p 3, were compared to UK subjects with pollen food syndrome (PFS). The sensitisation patterns were also evaluated against a matched cohort of Italian subjects diagnosed with LTP allergy.
    Results:
    None of the 15 UK PFS subjects had a positive SPT to LTP-enriched peach reagent, compared to 91% of the 35 UK LTP subjects. The UK LTP cohort were also more likely to have positive skin prick tests to barley, tomato and cashew nut and sensitisation to the LTP allergens in peach, walnut, mugwort and plane tree. These sensitisation patterns to individual allergens were not significantly different from those obtained from the Italian LTP subjects, with significant correlations between Pru p 3 and the LTP allergens in peanuts, walnuts, plane tree and mugwort in both groups.
    Conclusion:
    Native UK subjects with LTP allergy are not dissimilar to those with LTP allergy in Southern Europe. Testing to LTP-enriched peach SPT reagent and/or LTP allergens in peach, walnut, mugwort and plane tree may enhance diagnostic accuracy.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1340-1351
    Number of pages12
    JournalAllergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
    Volume74
    Issue number7
    Early online date14 Feb 2019
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2019

    Keywords

    • allergy
    • food
    • lipid transfer protein

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