Profilin cross-reactive panallergen causes latex sensitization in the pediatric population allergic to pollen

Component-resolved diagnostics (CRD) has been demonstrated to be an excellent new tool for improving the current diagnosis of allergies, and it allows differentiation between polysensitization and cross-reactivity.

To demonstrate the role of cross-reactive pollen allergens in pediatric patients living in areas with large amounts of airborne grass pollen grains who are sensitive to grass pollen and latex.

Serum samples were obtained from 106 children between 3 and 14 years of age diagnosed with allergies to pollen based on clinical history, skin prick tests, and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE). None of them had allergy symptoms to latex or fruits. From these 106 children, 56 patients revealed positive results to Phleum-specific major allergens but not to cross-reactive allergens. The other 50 patients who showed positive specific IgE to Phleum-specific major allergens and to cross-reactive pollen allergens also showed positive results to latex allergens. CRD was carried out by specific IgE quantification using a fluoro-enzyme immunoassay (ImmunoCAPT System).

Results demonstrated a positive significant relationship between the specific IgE to Hev b 8 and Phl p 12 and also between the specific IgE to Hev b 8 and latex extract in the group of patients sensitized to species-specific and cross-reactive Phleum allergens. Positive significant relationships were also found between profilin and avocado or peach sensitizations. No other latex allergens gave positive results.

The apparent sensitization to latex in pediatric patients allergic to grass pollen is caused by the cross-reactive profilin panallergen; however, it is appears not to be clinically relevant.