Wang X, Chen L, Ding J, Wang H, Wang X. Profiles of Birch Allergen Component Sensitization and Its Association with Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome in Northern China.
J Asthma Allergy 2023;
16:1241-1250. [PMID:
38022747 PMCID:
PMC10656847 DOI:
10.2147/jaa.s427764]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose
To investigate the major allergen components associated with birch pollen allergy in northern China and elucidate clinical relevance to pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS).
Methods
Fifty-eight patients were recruited for a cross-sectional study and categorized into two groups: PFAS group and non-PFAS group, as well as apple allergy group and non-apple allergy group. The sIgE levels of birch pollen and its components, namely Bet v 1, Bet v 2, Bet v 4, and Bet v 6, were analyzed.
Results
Among 58 participants, 44 individuals (75.9%) reported PFAS. 32 out of 44 (72.7%) participants reported apple allergy. Bet v 1 exhibited the highest sensitization rate at 82.8%, followed by Bet v 2 (29.3%) and Bet v 6 (1.7%). The combined sensitization rate for Bet v 1 and/or Bet v 2 was 93.1%. A total of 77.6% of the subjects demonstrated sensitization to single component, while 19.0% exhibited sensitization to two components. The sIgE levels of birch pollen and Bet v 1 were significantly elevated in PFAS group compared to non-PFAS group (p=0.001, p<0.001, respectively), as well as in apple-allergic and non-apple-allergic group (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). The optimal cut-off values for birch pollen and Bet v 1 sIgE were determined to be 7.09 kUA/L (with a sensitivity of 84.1% and specificity of 78.6%) and 5.11 kUA/L (with a sensitivity of 75.0% and specificity of 85.7%) when diagnosing PFAS. In terms of apple allergy, the optimal cut-off value were 9.40 kUA/L (with a sensitivity of 81.3% and specificity of 76.9%) and 6.53 kUA/L (with a sensitivity of 84.4% and specificity of 84.6%), respectively.
Conclusion
The predominant sensitization pattern is mono-sensitization to Bet v 1, but when considering immunotherapy, Bet v 2 should also be taken into account. Bet v 1 serves as a valuable biomarker for diagnosing PFAS and apple allergy.
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