Influence of age on IgE response in peanut-allergic children and adolescents from the Mediterranean area

Abstract

Background: Peanut allergens are common responsible of food allergy. Analyses of sensitization patterns, relationships with other allergens, clinical symptoms and variation with age are needed. We studied sensitization to Ara h 2, Ara h 9 and Pru p 3 in a population of children/adolescents allergic to peanut, and the relation with peach and pollen. Methods: Patients allergic to peanut were classified into two groups: A) allergic to peanut, and B) allergic to peach and peanut. The IgE response was measured to Ara h 2, Ara h 9 and Pru p 3. Results: Of 456 subjects evaluated, 28% were allergic to peanut. From this group 69% were sensitized to pollen. Urticaria was the most frequent entity followed by anaphylaxis and OAS. Fifty-nine percent had Ara h 2 and/or Ara h 9 specific IgE. Over half reported symptoms with peanut alone (Group A); 46% to peanut and peach (Group B). We observed significant differences in sex, age, onset of symptoms and sensitization to Artemisia. IgE response to Ara h 2 was more frequent in Group A; Ara h 9 and Pru p 3 in Group B. We observed a decrease in sensitization to Ara h 2 and an increase to Ara h 9 and Pru p 3 with increasing age. Conclusion: Peanut allergy is frequent in subjects with allergy to plant-foods, with Ara h 2 and Ara h 9 being two important allergens. In younger patients Ara h 2 predominates over Ara h 9. The reverse was observed in older patients.