BACKGROUND: Birch allergy (BA) is a common pollinosis. Bet v 1, Bet v 2, and Bet v 4 are birch allergen molecules. Oral allergic syndrome (OAS) is frequently associated with BA. Previously, it has been reported that there is a gradient of birch allergen sensitization profile across Europe. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the birch sensitization profile, including OAS, across Italy. METHODS: This retrospective study considered a series of 854 patients (391 males, mean age 35.9 years, range 18-93): 196 patients were recruited in Genoa, 188 in Northern Italy, 359 in Central Italy, and 111 in Southern Italy. Serum IgE to Bet v 1, Bet v 2, and Bet v 4 were assessed. OAS was analysed. RESULTS: Considering the geographical path Genoa-North-Center-South Italy, Bet v 1 sensitization significantly (p<0.0001) decreased from Genoa (95.41%) to Southern Italy (58.56%). Bet v 2 sensitization significantly (p<0.0001) increased from Genoa (6.12%) to Southern Italy (52.25%). Also Bet v 4 significantly (p=0.0002) increased from Genoa ( 6.12%) to Southern Italy (14.41%). There was a significant (p<0.0001) different distribution of OAS positive patients across the geographical areas, the highest difference being between 33.5% in Genoa and 76.9% in Northern Italy. The frequencies of birch allergen molecules correlated with the OAS only in Central Italy. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that there is a significant difference about birch associated molecules and the related clinical expression across Italy.
Profiles of birch sensitization (Bet v 1, Bet v 2, and Bet v 4) and oral allergy syndrome across Italy
CIPRANDI, GIORGIO;DE AMICI, MARA;QUAGLINI, SILVANA;MARSEGLIA, GIAN LUIGI;
2016-01-01
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Birch allergy (BA) is a common pollinosis. Bet v 1, Bet v 2, and Bet v 4 are birch allergen molecules. Oral allergic syndrome (OAS) is frequently associated with BA. Previously, it has been reported that there is a gradient of birch allergen sensitization profile across Europe. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the birch sensitization profile, including OAS, across Italy. METHODS: This retrospective study considered a series of 854 patients (391 males, mean age 35.9 years, range 18-93): 196 patients were recruited in Genoa, 188 in Northern Italy, 359 in Central Italy, and 111 in Southern Italy. Serum IgE to Bet v 1, Bet v 2, and Bet v 4 were assessed. OAS was analysed. RESULTS: Considering the geographical path Genoa-North-Center-South Italy, Bet v 1 sensitization significantly (p<0.0001) decreased from Genoa (95.41%) to Southern Italy (58.56%). Bet v 2 sensitization significantly (p<0.0001) increased from Genoa (6.12%) to Southern Italy (52.25%). Also Bet v 4 significantly (p=0.0002) increased from Genoa ( 6.12%) to Southern Italy (14.41%). There was a significant (p<0.0001) different distribution of OAS positive patients across the geographical areas, the highest difference being between 33.5% in Genoa and 76.9% in Northern Italy. The frequencies of birch allergen molecules correlated with the OAS only in Central Italy. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that there is a significant difference about birch associated molecules and the related clinical expression across Italy.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
