Reactivity of carrot-specific IgE antibodies with celery, apiaceous spices, and birch pollen

Although carrot allergy is not well recognized in North America, the celery-carrot-mugwort-spice syndrome is well known in Europe. In the current study, cross reactivity of carrot, stalk celery, and spices, all members of the Apiaceae and birch pollen was assessed with serum from a patient reporting raw carrot-induced, raw stalk celery-induced, or spice-induced laryngeal edema and bronchospasm. By RAST inhibition, some cross-reactivity was demonstrated between raw carrot and stalk celery and other members of the Apiaceae. Immunoprint inhibition revealed common allergic epitopes on a 17-kD band shared by carrot, celery, and birch pollen. The results suggest that subjects sensitized to carrot may also have allergic reaction to other vegetables of spices of the Apiaceous family. Furthermore, carrot hypersensitivity can be associated with birch pollen allergy.