Particularities in a Child With Cashew Nut Allergy

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
• Clinical Immunology
• Food Allergy Research

Background:

• Tree nut allergies are a significant cause of severe anaphylaxis in children.
• Cross-reactivity between foods, and with latex (latex-fruit syndrome), is a known phenomenon.
• Anaphylaxis as the initial presentation of allergy in a healthy child is noteworthy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of anaphylaxis to cashew nut in a young child.
• To investigate allergic sensitization patterns, including tree nuts and latex.
• To discuss the implications of latex sensitization (Hev b 3) in this context.

Main Methods:

• Case presentation of a 5-year-old girl with anaphylaxis after cashew nut ingestion.
• Diagnostic workup included skin prick tests and specific IgE testing for various nuts.
• ImmunoCAP ISAC was performed to identify specific allergen sensitization, including latex.

Main Results:

• The patient exhibited positive skin prick tests to walnut and specific IgE to cashew, walnut, hazelnut, and almond.
• ImmunoCAP ISAC confirmed sensitization to walnut and hazelnut storage proteins (Jug r 1, Cor a 9).
• Notably, sensitization to a specific latex allergen (Hev b 3) was also identified.

Conclusions:

• Anaphylaxis to cashew nut occurred as the first manifestation of allergy in this previously healthy child.
• The findings underscore the potential for cross-reactivity between tree nuts and latex allergens.
• Sensitization to Hev b 3 warrants further attention regarding its clinical relevance, especially in children without typical latex-fruit syndrome.