Background: The term “oral allergy syndrome” (OAS) is currently used to report immediate reactions following the ingestion of raw fruit and vegetables. It is believed to be due to cross-reactivity between inhalant and food allergens. The exact prevalence and severity of OAS is still not clarified. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and severity of OAS in two groups of pollen (grass and birch/hazel) monosensitized subjects. Materials and Methods: 141 subjects skin prick test (SPT) positive only to birch/hazel (group I) and 809 only to grass (group II) were interviewed about the occurence and the severity of any adverse reaction to fruit and vegetables. Latex- and poly-sensitized subjects were excluded. Results: The overall prevalence of OAS was 21% and was mild/moderate in 93%. In both groups OAS was more frequent in women (38% and 22%, p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively) than men (22% and 15%) and less frequent in group II overall (18% vs 31%, p<0.001). Severe reactions were more prevalent in group I (overall prevalence 3.5% vs 0.7%, p<0.02). Reactions to apple (p<0.0001), vegetables of the Umbelliferae family (p<0.0001) and nuts (p<0.03) were more frequent in group I, whereas those to Cucurbitaceae (p<0.0005) and to vegetables of the Solanaceae family in group II (p<0.03). Conclusion: Although generally benign, SOA is a relevant phenomenon, affecting 18%-31% pollen monosensitized individuals and even more frequently women. Our data support the implementation of both clinical and laboratory studies to better define it and to draw guidelines for its management.

Prevalence and severity of the oral allergy syndrome in pollen monosensitized subjects living in an area of Northen Italy

ZAULI, DANIELA;GRASSI, ALBERTO;BIANCHI, FRANCESCO BIANCO
2004

Abstract

Background: The term “oral allergy syndrome” (OAS) is currently used to report immediate reactions following the ingestion of raw fruit and vegetables. It is believed to be due to cross-reactivity between inhalant and food allergens. The exact prevalence and severity of OAS is still not clarified. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and severity of OAS in two groups of pollen (grass and birch/hazel) monosensitized subjects. Materials and Methods: 141 subjects skin prick test (SPT) positive only to birch/hazel (group I) and 809 only to grass (group II) were interviewed about the occurence and the severity of any adverse reaction to fruit and vegetables. Latex- and poly-sensitized subjects were excluded. Results: The overall prevalence of OAS was 21% and was mild/moderate in 93%. In both groups OAS was more frequent in women (38% and 22%, p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively) than men (22% and 15%) and less frequent in group II overall (18% vs 31%, p<0.001). Severe reactions were more prevalent in group I (overall prevalence 3.5% vs 0.7%, p<0.02). Reactions to apple (p<0.0001), vegetables of the Umbelliferae family (p<0.0001) and nuts (p<0.03) were more frequent in group I, whereas those to Cucurbitaceae (p<0.0005) and to vegetables of the Solanaceae family in group II (p<0.03). Conclusion: Although generally benign, SOA is a relevant phenomenon, affecting 18%-31% pollen monosensitized individuals and even more frequently women. Our data support the implementation of both clinical and laboratory studies to better define it and to draw guidelines for its management.
2004
Immunology 2004
229
235
D. Zauli; G. Vukatana; A. Grassi; G. Ballardini; F.B. Bianchi
File in questo prodotto:
Eventuali allegati, non sono esposti

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/9723
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact