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Published on: May 31, 2021
Molecular peanut sensitization patterns in Lithuanian children with suspected allergic symptoms
Ieva Adomaite1, Evelina Gorbikova2, Monika Miskinyte3
1Clinic of Children's Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
Insights
In Lithuania, about 25.7% of children with allergy symptoms show peanut sensitization. Infants and preschoolers are often sensitized to peanut seed storage proteins, while older children react to the Ara h 8 allergen.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Pediatric Allergy
- Molecular Allergology
Background:
- Peanut sensitization is a growing concern in pediatric populations.
- Molecular diagnostics are crucial for understanding specific allergen sensitization patterns.
- Limited data exists on peanut sensitization profiles in Lithuanian children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related patterns of molecular peanut sensitization in Lithuanian children.
- To identify specific peanut allergens associated with sensitization across different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 576 Lithuanian children with suspected allergic symptoms.
- Categorization of patients into age groups: 0-2, 3-6, 7-12, and 13-18 years.
- Analysis of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels to peanut molecular components (Ara h 1-3, 6, 8-9, 15) and Bet v 1.
Main Results:
- Overall peanut sensitization rate was 25.7% (148/576 children).
- Younger children (≤ 2 years) showed highest sensitization to Ara h 1 (12.1%).
- Older children (7-18 years) predominantly sensitized to Ara h 8 (24.5% and 24.7% respectively).
Conclusions:
- Approximately one-fourth of Lithuanian children with allergy symptoms exhibit peanut sensitization.
- Age-specific sensitization patterns exist, with infants/preschoolers sensitized to seed storage proteins and school-age children to Ara h 8.
- Molecular diagnostics are vital for characterizing pediatric peanut allergy in Lithuania.
Introduction:
There are no in-depth studies describing the peanut sensitization molecular patterns in Lithuanian children.
Aim:
To investigate the age-related patterns of molecular peanut sensitization profiles in Lithuanian children with suspected allergic symptoms.
Material And Methods:
We performed a retrospective analysis of peanut sensitization profiles in 576 Lithuanian children with possible allergic symptoms. Patient data were categorized according to age groups: 0-2, 3-6, 7-12, and 13-18 years. Specific immunoglobulin E levels to peanut molecular components: Ara h 1, Ara h 2, Ara h 3, Ara h 6, Ara h 8, Ara h 9, Ara h 15, and birch major allergen component Bet v 1 were analyzed.
Results:
Sensitization to at least one peanut protein was observed in 148 (25.7%) children. In children aged ≤ 2 years, most children were sensitized to Ara h 1 - 11 (12.1%). In children aged from 3 to 6 years, the sensitization to Ara h 1 remained the most prevalent in 40 (16.6%) children. The most prevalent sensitization in children aged from 7 to 12 years was to Ara h 8 in 39 (24.5%) of them. In children aged ≥ 13 years, Ara h 8 remained the most prevalent sensitizer in 21 (24.7%) of them.
Conclusions:
One-fourth of children with suspected allergic symptoms are sensitized to at least one peanut molecular component in Lithuania. Infants and preschool children are most commonly sensitized to seed storage proteins, while school-age children to Ara h 8 allergen.
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