Lipid Transfer Protein allergy in the United Kingdom; characterisation and comparison with a matched Italian cohort

Abstract

Background

Although pollen‐related food allergy occurs in all European populations, Lipid Transfer Protein (LTP) allergy is considered to manifests mainly in Mediterranean countries. We aimed to characterise adults presenting with LTP allergy in a Northern European country.

Method

The clinical history and sensitisation patterns of subjects born and residing in the United Kingdom (UK), with a prior diagnosis of LTP allergy and sensitisation to the peach LTP allergen Pru p 3, were compared to UK subjects with pollen food syndrome (PFS). The sensitisation patterns were also evaluated against a matched cohort of Italian subjects diagnosed with LTP allergy.

Results

None of the 15 UK PFS subjects had a positive SPT to LTP‐enriched peach reagent, compared to 91% of the 35 UK LTP subjects. The UK LTP cohort were also more likely to have positive skin prick tests to barley, tomato and cashew nut and sensitisation to the LTP allergens in peach, walnut, mugwort and plane tree These sensitisation patterns to individual allergens were not significantly different from those obtained from the Italian LTP subjects, with significant correlations between Pru p 3 and the LTP allergens in peanuts, walnuts, plane tree and mugwort in both groups.

Conclusion

Native UK subjects with LTP allergy are not dissimilar to those with LTP allergy in Southern Europe. Testing to LTP‐enriched peach SPT reagent and/or LTP allergens in peach, walnut, mugwort and plane tree may enhance diagnostic accuracy.

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