Oral allergy syndrome in children with pollen sensitization in Tomsk region

Abstract

Background. Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is defined as immediate IgE-mediated allergic reaction localized in the oral mucosa and developing after consuming raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes in pollen sensitized patients. Objective. To study the prevalence of OAS in children in the Tomsk region. Material. The cross-sectional study in random groups of primary schoolchildren aged 7-10 years (n=13 010) from the Tomsk region, Russia, was performed in frames of (EuroPrevall, № FP6-2006-TTC-TU-5 Proposal 045879). During the screening phase a survey with standardized questionnaire was carried out. Clinical stage (n=1288) included clinical interviewing with parents/guardians, the clinical examination of patients, skin prick testing with extracts of food and pollen allergens (ALK-Abello, Spain), measurement of specific IgE level in serum to food and pollen allergens, component resolved diagnostics (ImmunoCAP, Phadia, Sweden). Results. OAS registered in 13,71% of children with pollen sensitization. The main triggers were apples, carrots, peaches, peanuts. Main cause of OAS in the Tomsk region was cross-reactivity to Bet v 1 - homologues belonging to PR-10 family: to apple - Mal d 1 (r=0,92; p=0,01); to peach - Pru p1 (r=0,87; p=0,01); to peanut - Ara h 8 (r=0,74; p=0,01); to hazelnut - Cor a 1 (r=0,76; p=0,01); to carrot - Dau c 1 (r=0,54; p=0,01). Conclusion. OAS was observed in 13,71% of children with pollen sensitization and was developesed due to crossreactivity to the birch allergen Bet v 1.