Heterogenity of IgE response to walnut and hazelnut in Italian allergic patients.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of IgE reactivity against genuine walnut and hazelnut allergens is poorly defined. OBJECTIVE The IgE response to walnut and hazelnut was investigated in Italian patients with primary allergy to these nuts. METHODS Sera from 36 patients allergic to hazelnut and/or walnut, not reactive to PR-10, profilin, and LTP, underwent immunoblot analysis with extracts of both nuts. RESULTS Most patients had a history of systemic symptoms following the ingestion of the offending food(s). Twelve patients were sensitized to both walnut and hazelnut, and 13 were sensitized to other nuts and seeds (cashew, peanut, sesame, pine nut, almond, Brazil nut, and pistachio). On walnut immunoblot, the 7 sera which scored positive showed much variability in their IgE profile. Two reacted uniquely at 10 kDa, and the others at 35 , 40, 45, 50, 67, and > 67 kDa. The profiles obtained under reducing and non-reducing conditions showed several differences. The 7 sera positive on hazelnut immunoblot under reducing conditions recognized sera at 10 kDa and at <10 kDa (n=1), 20 kDa (n=4), at about 22, 24, 30, 40, 43, 58, 60, and 90 kDa, and higher m.w. in other cases. Under non-reducing conditions IgE reactivity at 20, 28, 35, 40, 45, 60, 90, and 100 kDa, was detected. Only two sera scored positive under both conditions and showed an IgE profile that partly changed from one assay to another. CONCLUSION The current list of walnut and hazelnut allergens is far from being complete. Both reducing and non-reducing conditions are needed to detect IgE reactivity in individual patients.