Sensitization profiles to peanut allergens across the United States

Measurement of IgE antibody to peanut components can aid in the prediction of allergic responses the food.

To investigate the association between patient demographics (age, location) and allergic sensitization to peanut components across the United States.

Serum samples from 12,155 individuals with peanut extract specific IgE levels of 0.35 kUA/L or higher were analyzed for IgE antibodies to Ara h 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9 by ImmunoCAP.

Among this population of peanut sensitized individuals, 79.1% of children (<3 years old) were sensitized to one or more peanut storage proteins (Ara h 1, 2, and/or 3), in contrast to 64.2% of adolescents (12-15 years old) and 22.1% of adults (>20 years old). Although sensitization was more prevalent to Ara h 2 than to the other storage proteins, a sizable fraction of patients were sensitized to Ara h 1 and/or 3 but not to Ara h 2 (eg, 13% of children <3 years old). Moreover, 9.6% of children, 10.2% of adolescents, and 10.5% of adults were sensitized to Ara h 9, whereas 2.4% of children, 49.4% of adolescents, and 42.9% of adults produced IgE to Ara h 8 (pathogenesis-related protein 10). Sensitization to Ara h 8 alone was markedly higher in the Northeastern United States relative to other regions of the country.

We conclude that sensitization to individual peanut components is highly dependent on age and geographic location. Given that a severe allergic reaction to peanut is unlikely in individuals with isolated sensitization to Ara h 8, a sizable fraction of patients, in particular adolescents and adults, may be at lower risk than anticipated based only on demonstration of sensitization to whole peanut extract.