Rosaceae food allergy: a review

Area of Science:

• Food allergy research
• Immunology
• Nutritional science

Background:

• Rosaceae allergy encompasses diverse fruit allergies (almond, apple, strawberry, etc.), significantly impacting patients with pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS) and lipid transfer protein (LTP) allergies.
• Allergies to Rosaceae fruits like peach, apple, and almond are prevalent and affect patient quality of life, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of clinical manifestations and prevalence.

Approach:

• This review synthesizes global data on Rosaceae fruit allergies, detailing clinical symptoms, prevalence, diagnostic methods, and immunotherapies.
• It explores allergen molecular characteristics, cross-reactivity, co-sensitization, food processing effects, and detection techniques for Rosaceae allergens in food.

Key Points:

• Rosaceae allergies are influenced by geography, environment, and cofactors, with peach, apple, and almond allergies posing significant quality-of-life burdens.
• Effective self-management and avoidance of multiple Rosaceae fruits are challenging for patients, potentially increasing allergic response severity over time.
• Cross-reactivity and co-sensitization are significant concerns, exacerbated by difficulties in managing multiple food allergies.

Conclusions:

• Current diagnostic methods for Rosaceae allergy lack specific molecular markers, representing a critical gap in patient care.
• The development of novel immunotherapies and diagnostic strategies is crucial for advancing the management of Rosaceae food allergies.
• Further research is needed to address diagnostic limitations and develop effective treatments for Rosaceae-induced allergies.