Peach allergy in Spanish children: tolerance to the pulp and molecular sensitization profile

Peach allergy is the main cause of vegetable food allergy in the Mediterranean area. Pru p 3 is the major allergen, and it is mainly found in the peel.

We sought to calculate the frequency of tolerance to peach pulp in Spanish children suffering from allergic reactions after eating or having contact with peach and to analyze the sensitization pattern to peach allergens.

Fifty-seven children (32 boys; median age, 7.4 yr) were included in the study. A systematized questionnaire on allergic reactions to peach was administered. Prick tests with peach peel and pulp, peach lipid transfer protein (LTP), and profilin were performed. Serum-specific IgE to peach, rPru p 1, rPru p 3, and rPru p 4 was determined by ImmunoCAP. Oral food challenges (OFCs) with peach pulp were performed on all but one child.

Eighty-eight percent of the children had positive prick tests with peach peel, 35% with peach pulp, 88% with peach LTP, and 9% with profilin. Serum-specific IgE to peach was demonstrated in 100% of the patients; rPru p 3-specific IgE in 96%; rPru p 1-specific IgE in 11%; and rPru p 4-specific IgE in 10%. Oral food challenge was negative in 52 (93%) children.

More than 90% of the study population tolerated peeled peach. Pru p 3 was the major allergen. Pru p 1 and 4 showed low prevalence.