Prevalence of sensitization to mugwort pollen allergens and association with food allergy to peach

Abstract Rationale The aim of this work was to assess in vivo the pattern of sensitization to an array of Artemisia vulgaris pollen allergens in a Mediterranean population, and to study the possible association of sensitization to Art v 3 and other relevant LTP allergens: Par j 1 and Pru p 3. Methods 24 mugwort pollen-allergic patients were selected on the basis of positive SPT, specific IgE and positive nasal provocation tests. SPT was performed with pure natural pollen allergens Art v 1, Art v 3, Art v 60-kDa –no systematic name yet- and Par j 1, and with a peach extract with known Pru p 3 concentration. In vitro assays included measurement of specific IgE to pure allergens and ELISA-inhibition among LTP allergens. Results The three mugwort allergens elicited a positive SPT in 70–80% of patients. A significant correlation, both in wheal areas and IgE levels, was observed between the mugwort extract and each of the mugwort allergens. Fourteen patients had a positive SPT to peach extract, and a highly significant correlation between the skin responses to peach extract and Art v 3 was found. Art v 3 significantly inhibited the binding of IgE from three patients' sera to Pru p 3. Pru p 3 and Par j 1 could not inhibit the IgE-binding to the other allergens. Conclusions It has been shown that Art v 1, Art v 3 and Art v 60-kDa are major mugwort pollen allergens. Besides, Art v 3 seems to be the primary sensitizing agent in some peach-allergic patients.