Infants and toddlers with sensitization to peanut are often
co-sensitized to tree nuts
Abstract
Background Due to changes in dietary habits tree nuts (TN) are
consumed in many households and TN allergy appears to be increasing. One
risk factor seems to be allergies to other food such as peanuts. The aim
of our study was to investigate, how often peanut-sensitized infants and
toddlers are co-sensitized to cashew, hazelnut and walnut and to
determine the likelihood of its clinical relevance by their 2S
albumin-specific (s)IgE. Methods Sera of 101 peanut-sensitized
children, 5 to 24 months of age (median 16 months) were analyzed
regarding sIgE to hazelnut, walnut and cashew and to their 2S-albumins
Cor a 14, Jug r 1 and Ana o 3 as well as to Ara h 1 and 2, by using the
NOVEOS TM immunoanalyzer system. Results 96%
of the peanut-sensitized children were co-sensitized to at least one TN
with 94.1% to hazelnut, 87.1% to walnut and 84.2% to cashew. More
than half (58.4%) of the children were sensitized to at least one 2S
albumin with similar rates for infants and toddlers, 26.7% to all
three. Moreover, sensitization rates were similar in peanut allergic and
tolerant children. Estimating the likelihood of clinical relevance,
15.8% of all peanut-sensitized children had an at least 90%
probability to be hazelnut and/or cashew allergic. Conclusion
TN sensitization seems to be common among peanut-sensitized infants and
toddlers. Many had a high likelihood to be TN allergic. Therefore, it
should be considered to determine TN-sIgE in peanut-sensitized children
if TN are not consumed so far.