Allergen Data Collection: Celery (Apium graveolens)
Internet Symposium on Food Allergens 2(3):145 -67  (2000) [http://www.food-allergens.de]
1 Prevalence of Celery Allergy

Prevalence data are based on different diagnostic procedures. While the prevalence of sensitization (sensitivity) can be estimated by SPT, RAST, and immunoblot, a clinical relevant sensitization (allergy) is evaluated by convincing history (anamnesis) or food challenge tests (ideally by DBPCFC).

1.1 Subjects with Atopic or Other Diseases
 
Country / Subjects Allergy / Sensitivity References
France
80 cases of food- related anaphylaxis (study period 1993-97)
celery and carrot 7.5%
(reported to CICBAA databank)
European Commission 1998
France, Lyon
a) 61 patients with mugwort pollen sensitivity
b) from which 26 with birch pollen sensitivity
a) celery 59%
b) celery 88%
(RAST)
Vallier et al. 1988
France, Paris
a) 24 patients with latex and pollen allergy
b) 20 patients with latex allergy (no pollen allergy)
c) 25 patients with pollen allergy (no latex allergy)
clinical symptoms SPT
a) celery in 0% and 33%
b) celery in 0% and 5%
c) celery in 20% and 72%
Levy et al. 2000
France, Pierre Benite
a) 580 patients with adverse reactions to food
b) 60 cases of anaphylaxis (study period 1984-92)
a) celery 30% (RAST)
b) celery 30%
Andre et al. 1994
Germany, Berlin
167 pollen and food sensitive patients
celery 70% and 14%
(SPT and case history)
Jankiewicz et al. 1996
Italy, Florence
54 episodes of food-dependent anaphylaxis in 44 children (age of 1 month to 16 years) (from 1994-1996)
celery 1.9% Novembre et al. 1998
Italy, Genoa
132 pollen and food sensitive patients
celery 0.7% (self-reported) Troise et al. 1992
Italy, Milan
262 fruit and/or vegetable allergic patients
celery 5-10% (clinical history) Ortolani et al. 1988
Italy, Milan
100 fruit and/or vegetable allergic patients
celery 5% (clinical history) Ortolani et al. 1989
Italy, Milan
196 adults with birch pollen allergy and oral allergy syndrome
celery 7% (clinical history) Asero 1997
Netherlands
131 cases of food- induced anaphylaxis
(from 1993-1997)
celery 6.1% (survey, reported to the TNO Nutrition and Food Research Institute) European Commission 1998
Spain, Madrid
29 plant-derived food allergic patients
celery 3.4% (SPT) Diez-Gomez et al. 1999
Sweden
55 cases of food- induced anaphylaxis (from 1994-1996)
celery 3.6% (Hospital Reports) European Commission 1998
Sweden, Halmstad / Malmö
a) 380 birch pollen allergic patients
b) 103 patients without birch pollen allergy
a) celery 2%
b) celery 0%
(questionnaire)
Eriksson et al. 1982
Switzerland, Bern
22 patients with severe food-induced anaphylaxis (study period 1994-96)
celery 50% Rohrer et al. 1998
Switzerland, Vaudois
111 patients with pollen- associated food allergy
celery 57% (RAST) Bircher et al. 1994
Switzerland, Zurich
402 food allergic adults (study period 1978-87)
celery 43% (clinical history, diagnostic tests) Wüthrich 1993
Switzerland, Zurich
383 food allergic patients (study period 1990-94)
celery 36%
celery tuber 20% (spice)
(clinical history, diagnostic tests)
Etesamifar & Wüthrich 1998
UK, London
100 patients with food intolerance
celery 1%
(repeated challenge)
Lessof et al. 1980
USA, Boston, MA
279 adults with exercise- induced anaphylaxis (study period 1980-98)
celery 7%
(reported trigger)
Shadick et al. 1999

1.2 Prevalence of Associated Allergies
 
Country / Subjects Sensitivity / Allergy to References
Austria, Vienna
20 patients with mugwort- birch- celery- spice syndrome
paprika 73%
pepper 95%
(immunoblot)
Leitner et al. 1998a
Italy, Milan
196 adults with birch pollen allergy and oral allergy syndrome
celery and carrot 83% (n=103)
celery and fennel 73% (n=63)
(concordance of allergy, clinical history)
Asero 1997
Switzerland, Zurich
31 celery allergic patients (study period 1978-82, follow-up 1983)
mugwort pollen 87%
carrots 52%
caraway 26%
parsley 16%
fennel 13%
green pepper 10%
aniseed 3% 
(clinically relevant allergy)
Wüthrich & Hofer 1984
Switzerland, Zurich
70 patients with celery and pollen allergy (birch and/or mugwort)
Spices from Apiaceae family (same as celery):
aniseed, fennel, coriander, and cumin in >34%;
Spices from unrelated families (red pepper, white pepper, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon):
positive in 3 of 11 patients
(scratch test)
Stäger et al. 1991
Switzerland, Zurich
22 patients with positive DBPCFC to celery
  SPT RAST
birch pollen 91% 91%
alder pollen 86%  
hazel pollen 82%  
grass / rye pollen 55% 67%
ash pollen  36%  
mugwort pollen 36% 73%
carrot   77%
 
Ballmer-Weber et al. 2000
Lüttkopf et al. 2000
Switzerland, Zurich
41 patients with sensitivity to
a)  7 birch pollen sensitive
b) 11 birch pollen and celery
c) 7 mugwort pollen
d) 6 mugwort pollen and celery
e) 10 birch, mugwort pollen and celery
RAST a) b) c) d) e)
celery stick 0%  45% 0% 17% 70%
celery tuber 0% 100% 0% 50% 100%
celery mix 0% 100% 0% 100% 100%
Umbelliferae 0% 9-18% 14-28% 33-50% 30-70%
Labiatae 0% 9% 0% 0% 20-30%
Umbelliferae: aniseed, dill, fennel, lovage
Labiatae: basil, majoram, pot majoram, thyme
Wüthrich et al. 1992

2 Symptoms of Celery Allergy
 
Symptoms & Case Reports References
systemic reactions
anaphylaxis (1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10), exercise-induced anaphylaxis (3, 8)

symptoms on skin and mucous membranes
angioedema (2, 4, 6, 10, 16, 17), conjunctivitis (17), edema (15), flush (17), itch of ears (17), palmoplantar itch (17), pruritus (10), generalized pruritus (17), urticaria (2, 4, 6, 10, 15, 16, 17), contact urticaria syndrome (4)

gastrointestinal symptoms
abdominal cramps (17), diarrhea (16), emesis (17), flatulence (17) itching in throat (16, 17), heartburn (17), swelling of lips (16), nausea (16, 17), vomiting (16), oral allergy syndrome* (12, 14, 16, 17)

respiratory symptoms
asthma (10, 16), cough (17), dyspnoe (17), laryngeal edema (11, 13, 14), rhinitis (17), rhinoconjunctivitis (10, 17), general / not specified (6)

* symptoms, which could be  involved in oral allergy syndrome: local symptoms as intra-oral and lip-irritation, angioedema and systemic symptoms as rhino-conjunctivitis, urticaria-angioedema, asthma, and anaphylaxis (11)

(1) Forsbeck & Ros 1979
(2) Kauppinen et al. 1980
(3) Kidd et al. 1983
(4) Kremser & Lindemayr 1983
(5) Dechamp et al. 1984
(6) Pauli et al. 1985
(7) Rose & Altman 1985
(8) Silverstein et al. 1986
(9) Stricker et al. 1986
(10) Pauli et al. 1988
(11) Ortolani et al. 1988
(12) Ortolani et al. 1989
(13) Hoerler & Ukiwe 1992
(14) Jordan-Wagner et al. 1993
(15) Bonnin et al. 1995
(16) Jankiewicz et al. 1996, 1998
(17) Ballmer-Weber et al. 2000
Percentage of Reactions
Symptoms / Ref. (1)  (2)  (3)  (4) (5) (6) 
Anaphylaxis 19% 15% 2.9% 20% %
Shock fragments 10%   2.9%      
Cutaneous            
Angio-oedema 29%   31%     14%
Contact urticaria     17%      
Urticaria 10%   5.7%   17%  
Urticaria / Angio-oedema   85%   90%     
Urticaria / flush / pruritus           23%
Oral allergy syndrome         87% 55%
Gastrointestinal         20% 14%
Diarrhea 6.5%   2.9%      
Respiratory   40%   35%    
Asthma 6.5%   8.6%   10%  
Dyspnoe 10%   20%      
Dyspnoe / cough           14%
Rhinitis / conjunctivitis 10%   8.6%     14%
No. of patients 31 20 35 20 30 22
(1) celery allergic patients (clinical history)
(2) patients with celery allergy and concomitant pollen allergy (mugwort, birch) (clinical history)
(3) celery allergic patients (clinical history)
(4) patients (14-49 years of age) with celery allergy (clinical history)
(5) adults with celery and pollen allergy (clinical history)
(6) after DBPCFC in celery allergic patients (13-55 years of age)
(1) Wüthrich & Hofer 1984
(2) Pauli et al. 1985
(3) Wüthrich & Dietschi 1985
(4) Pauli et al. 1988
(5) Jankiewicz et al. 1998
(6) Ballmer-Weber et al. 2000
Onset of Symptoms
Symptoms occurred after ingestion of celery within 30 min to 1 h in 46%, within  2-3 h in 8%, and >3 h in 46% of 13 celery allergic patients  (1)
Symptoms of oral itching and eyelid angioedema in 2 patients within 4 and 6 min after open food challenge with 15 g of celery (2)
(1) Kremser & Lindemayr 1983
(2) Ortolani et al. 1989
Threshold for Elicitation of Symptoms
Quantities of 700 mg celery induced allergic symptoms in 48%, 1.9 g and 5.6 g in 10% each, 13.3 g in 5%, and 28.5 g in 29% of 21 celery allergic patients with positive DBPCFC (1)
(1) Ballmer-Weber et al. 2000

3 Diagnostic Features of Celery Allergy
 
Parameters / Subjects Outcome References
Age at Manifestation
31 celery allergic patients (1)
35 celery allergic patients (2)
Allergy to celery according to age groups:
years (1) (2)
<10 0% 0%
11-20 19% 23%
21-30 29% 49%
31-40 32% 23%
41-50 10% 6%
>50 10% 0%
(clinical history)
(1) Wüthrich & Hofer 1984
(2) Wüthrich & Dietschi 1985
Gender of Patients
31 celery allergic patients (1)
35 celery allergic patients (2)
86% and 87% female, respectively (1, 2)  (1) Wüthrich & Hofer 1984
(2) Wüthrich & Dietschi 1985
RAST, Scratch Test
68 pollen allergic patients
72% concordance of RAST and scratch chamber test to celery Halmepuro et al. 1984
IgE
birch pollen allergic patients with atopic dermatitis:
a) responding (n=17) with worsening of atopic dermatitis within 48 h (no immediate symptoms observed) and 
b) non-responding (n=20) to DBPCFC with birch pollen related foods (carrot, celery, hazelnut, apple)
Celery specific serum IgE (RAST):
a) 8.4 kU/L
b) 3.1 kU/L
(mean values)
Reekers et al. 1999
SPT, IgE and Clinical Relevance
31 celery allergic patients
Skin testing (scratch or prick) with fresh celery bulb was reliable, RAST was not sufficiently sensitive Wüthrich & Hofer 1984
SPT, IgE and Clinical Relevance
35 celery allergic patients
Positivity of diagnostic tests:
SPT with native celery- root 89%,
scratch test with celery- salt 71%,
intracutaneous test with commercial extract 64%,
RAST with celery- sticks 66%,
Wüthrich & Dietschi 1985
a) RAST and Clinical Relevance
b) SPT and Clinical Relevance
4 patients with clinical history of celery allergy
a)  RAST (specific IgE > 0.7 kU/L):
positive results in 75%
b) SPT with fresh food:
positive results in 100%
Ortolani et al. 1989
SPT, IgE, and DBPCFC
32 patients with history of celery allergy (13-55 years of age, mean 32 years)
69% of patients were positive in DBPCFC, 4 of 8 non-responders reacted in open challenge, and 2 placebo-responders
  a) b) c) PPT* RAST
sensitivity 48% 86% 96% 96% 73%
specificity 88% 13% 25% 0% 38%
PPV 96% 87% 90% 88% 90%
NPV 19% 11% 43% 0% 17%
a) + b) SPT with commercial extracts
c) SPT with self-prepared extract
* prick-to-prick test with raw celery tuber
Ballmer-Weber et al. 2000
IgE and DBPCFC (positive vs. negative)
patients with history of celery allergy
a) 22 with positive DBPCFC
b) 4 with negative DBPCFC and positive open challenge
c) 4 with negative DBPCFC and negative open challenge
No obvious differences in sensitization pattern between a) and b) in immunoblot and EAST;
only 1 patient of c) had celery specific IgE (Api g 4 and glycoproteins)
Lüttkopf et al. 2000
SPT and IgE
celery allergic patients
a) Positivity in EAST to native celery:
50% of SPT positive patients (n=34)
b) Positivity in EAST to heated celery:
18% of SPT positive patients (n=11)
26% of SPT negative patients (n=35)
Jankiewicz et al. 1996
SPT, Extracts
12 (14) patients with OAS after eating celery
Positive reactions  in SPT:
58% to fresh celery extracts
86% to commercial extracts
Asero 1997
SPT, RAST, Extracts, rApi g 1
a) 24 patients with celery and birch pollen allergy from Davos, Switzerland
b) 12 patients with celery allergy and mugwort pollen sensitivity from Montpellier, France
Positive reactions in skin prick-to-prick test and SPT, respectively:
a) 100% to fresh celery
100% to commercial extracts
100% to recombinant Api g 1
b) 92% to fresh celery
25% to commercial extracts
17% to recombinant Api g 1

Positive reactions in RAST::
a) 67% to commercial extracts
b) 45% to commercial extracts

Hoffmann-Sommergruber et al. 1999a
Immunoblot and Clinical Relevance
a) 23 patients with celery allergy
b) 15 patients with celery sensitivity (RAST) without clinical relevance
Sensitivity in SDS-PAGE immunoblot:
Celery allergens a) b)
15 kDa allergen 74% 73%
46-60 kD allergens 30% 60%
Bauer et al. 1996
Mugwort Sensitization, Severity of Symptoms
22 patients with positive DBPCFC to celery
Positivity to mugwort pollen (SPT):
a) 60% of patients with systemic reactions to celery
b) 16% of patients with pure oral allergy syndrome
Ballmer-Weber et al. 2000

4 Therapy of Celery Allergy
 
Treatment * Outcome References
Oral Desensitization
with commercial celery and parsley extracts: 1 adult with celery- carrot- mugwort- spice- syndrome, symptoms of urticaria, dyspnoe, vomiting, and collaps after ingestion of raw fruits and vegetables (especially celery) and spices
Daily administration of diluted mixed extract of increasing doses, maintenance dose administered 3 times per week, length of therapy approximately 3 years, after therapy parsley and celery were tolerated as spices, side effects of earlobe erythema and occasional diarrhea occurred Wüthrich & Hofer 1986
Subcutaneous Desensitization
with 2 commercial extracts (5 grasses, cereals, mugwort and ribwort / birch and alder): 1 adult with suspected celery allergy and symptoms of allergic rhinitis, generalized urticaria, angioedema, and pruritus
After 3 years of subcutaneous desensitization no symptoms of pollinosis or food allergy occurred Wüthrich & Hofer 1986
* Studies may be experimental, unproved, or controversial. Please notice the disclaimer !

5 Composition of Celery
 

6 Allergens of Celery
 
Proteins / Glycoproteins Allergen Nomenclature References
Bet v 1 - homologous Protein [16 kDa] Api g 1.0101
Api g 1.0201
Breiteneder et al. 1995, Ebner et al. 1995, Vieths et al. 1995, Hoffmann-Sommergruber et al. 2000
Chlorophyll a/b Binding Protein ** Api g 3* Scheiner et al. 1997
Celery Profilin [15 kDa] Api g 4 Vallier et al. 1992, van Ree et al. 1992, Ebner et al. 1995, Vieths et al. 1995, Scheurer et al. 2000
55/58 kDa Allergen Api g 5 Ganglberger et al. 2000
Allergens: >30 kDa (CCD, cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants)   Vieths et al. 1994, Jankiewicz et al. 1998, Fötisch et al. 1999,Lüttkopf et al. 2000
2 Allergens: appr. 15 kDa   Vallier et al. 1988
Allergens: 15, 25, 36, and 60 kDa   Jordan-Wagner et al. 1993
Allergens: 15, 46-60 kDa   Bauer et al. 1996
60 kDa Allergen   Heiss et al. 1996, Grote et al. 1998
* proposed name not listed in WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature (Larsen & Lowenstein 2000)
** probably a minor allergen, clinical relevance unknown

6.1 Sensitization to Celery Allergens
 
Country / Subjects Sensitization References
Austria, Vienna
17 birch pollen allergic patients with celery sensitivity
15 kDa allergen (Api g 1) in 76%
13-14 kDa allergen (Api g 4) in 24 %
(SDS-PAGE immunoblot)
Ebner et al. 1995
France, Lyon
36 patients with celery sensitivity
15 kDa allergen (probably Api g 4) in 58%
high Mr bands in 63%
any allergen band in 92%
(SDS-PAGE immunoblot)
Vallier et al. 1988
France, Montpellier
12 patients with celery allergy (clinical history) and mugwort pollen sensitivity (SPT)
Allergens immunoblot SPT
nApi g 1 in 0%  
rApi g 1 in 0% in 17%
rBet v 1 in 0%  
multiple celery proteins
(other than Api g 1)
in 67%  
Hoffmann-Sommergruber et al. 1999a
Germany, Berlin
a) 60 celery sensitive patients
b) 30 celery and pollen allergic patients
Allergens from celery tuber:
Allergens a) b)
Api g 1 in 33% 80%
Api g 4 in 17% 23%
multiple bands
(carbohydrate epitopes)
in 32% 27%
other in 10%  
(SDS-PAGE / immunoblot)
a) Jankiewicz et al. 1996
b) Jankiewicz et al. 1998
Germany, Berlin
12 apple and celery allergic patients
Carbohydrate epitopes on allergens > 30 kDa
(periodate treatment, immunoblot, EAST inhibition)
Vieths et al. 1994
Netherlands, Amsterdam
401 sera with IgE against pollen and/or vegetable foods
celery profilin (Api g 4) in 18% van Ree et al. 2000
Switzerland, Davos
24 patients with celery and birch pollen allergy (clinical history)
Allergens immunoblot SPT
nApi g 1 in 71%  
rApi g 1 in 67% in 100%
rBet v 1 in 100%  
multiple celery proteins in 83%  
Hoffmann-Sommergruber et al. 1999a
Switzerland, Zurich
22 celery allergic patients (DBPCFC positive)
Allergens immunoblot
Api g 1 59%
CCD (cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants), >45 kDa  55%
Api g 4 23%
Lüttkopf et al. 2000
* for patients designated with celery sensitivity the history of celery allergy may be unknown

6.2 Properties of Bet v 1 - homologous Protein (Api g 1)
6.3 Properties of Chlorophyll a/b binding Protein
6.4 Properties of Celery Profilin (Api g 4)
6.5 Properties of 55/58 kDa Protein (Api g 5)
 

7 Isolation & Preparation
 
Extract / Purified Allergens Methods References
Protein extract Grinding of raw piece-cut celery tuber in Tris/HCl buffer pH 7.6 (containing benzamidine, EDTA, and phenylmethyl- sulphonyl- fluoride), filtration, centrifugation, and precipitation by adding ammonium sulphate up to 75% saturation; resolubization in Tris/HCl buffer pH 7.6 and dialysis; extract defatted with ethyl ether Vallier et al. 1992
Protein extract Low temperature extraction method:
raw celery tuber homogenized in acetone (-40°C), precipitates washed, filtered, lyophylized and water extracted
Vieths et al. 1992
Protein extract Protein extraction from celery tuber with potassium phosphate buffer pH 7.0 (containing
polyvinylpyrrolidone, EDTA, and diethyldithiocarbamic acid, sodium azide), centrifugation, filtration and dialysis, storage after lyophylization -20°C
Bauer et al. 1996
Protein extract Celery tuber ground in liquid nitrogen (1) or frozen in liquid nitrogen and homogenized (2), protein extraction with potassium phosphate buffer (1) or phosphate buffered saline pH 7.4 (2) at 4°C, centrifugation, filtration, dialysis, and lyophylization (1) Ganglberger et al. 2000
(2) Ballmer-Weber et al. 2000
Profilin (Api g 4) Isolation from protein extract by 4 chromatographic steps: IEC (with DEAE) followed by SEC (with Sephacryl S200), and preparative anion exchange HPLC (DEAE) followed by exclusion- diffusion HPLC (Protein PAK SW 300) Vallier et al. 1992
Profilin (Api g 4) Isolation from protein extract by affinity chromatography with a poly- L-prolin column Vallier et al. 1992
Vieths et al. 1995
55/58 kDa allergen (Api g 5) Separation of celery extract by IEC (Mono Q HR column) Ganglberger et al. 2000
63 kDa allergen (Api g 5) Preparative SDS-PAGE of celery extract followed by gel elution Ganglberger et al. 2000


8 Cross-Reactivities
 
Cross-Reacting Allergens Subjects / Methods References
Celery: (pollen)
mugwort and birch pollen
13 celery allergic patients: Cross- reactivity between stick celery and mugwort and birch pollen (RAST inhibition) Kremser & Lindemayr 1983
Celery: (pollen, apple)
mugwort and birch pollen, apple
Cross- reactivity between celery tuber, birch pollen, and apple (RAST inhibiton) Halmepuro et al. 1984
Celery: (pollen)
mugwort and birch pollen
20 celery and pollen allergic patients: Cross- reactivity in RAST inhibiton Pauli et al. 1985
Celery: (pollen, fennel)
significant associations: celery and mugwort pollen, celery and fennel *
262 fruit and/or vegetable allergic patients
(clinical history, SPT, RAST)
Ortolani et al. 1988
Celery, Profilin: (pollen)
birch and mugwort profilin (15 kDa)
Sera reactive to 15 kDa celery allergen:
Inhibition of IgE binding to birch and mugwort pollen profilins (15 kDa each) by celery extract (1) and celery profilin (2) and to celery profilin by recombinant birch pollen profilin (2) (immunoblot inhibition)
Vallier et al. 1988
Vallier et al. 1992
Celery: (pollen)
rye grass profilin (12 kDa)
Serum from 1 patient with allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis related to vegetable foods and pollen: inhibition of IgE-binding to rye grass profilin by celery extract (RAST), detection of celery profilin at 12 kDa (SDS-PAGE immunoblot) van Ree et al. 1992
Celery (Api g 1): (birch pollen)
birch pollen (Bet v 1)
7 Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 sensitive patients (pooled serum): significant inhibition of IgE- binding to 15 kDa allergen (Api g 1) by rBet v 1, no inhibition of binding to 14 kDa allergen (Api g 4) (immunoblot inhibition) Ebner et al. 1995
Celery (Api g 4): (birch pollen)
birch pollen (Bet v 2 profilin)
7 Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 sensitive patients (pooled serum): complete inhibition of IgE- binding  to 14 kDa allergen (Api g 4) by rBet v 2, no inhibition of binding to 15 kDa allergen (Api g 1) (immunoblot inhibition) Ebner et al. 1995
Celery allergens: (pollen)
birch and mugwort pollen, Api g 1, Api g 4
16 kDa celery allergen (Api g 1) cross- reactive to Bet v 1 detected by 6/8 of patients with a birch pollen / celery sensitivity;
15 to 16 kDa double band (celery profilin, Api g 4) detected by 6/16 patients with mugwort pollen / celery and birch pollen / mugwort pollen / celery sensitivities (SDS-PAGE immunoblot, immunoblot inhibition)
Vieths et al. 1995
Celery: (pollen)
birch and mugwort pollen
Pooled sera from patients with celery allergy:
Inhibition of IgE binding to 46-60 kD celery allergens by birch and mugwort pollen
(immunoblot inhibition)
Bauer et al. 1996
Celery: (pollen)
60 kDa mugwort allergen (formerly Art v 1)
Patients with food and pollen allergy: inhibition of IgE-binding to appr. 40-70 kDa celery allergens by 60 kDa mugwort allergen in 2 of 3 patients (SDS-PAGE inhibition), 2-40% reduction of IgE-binding to celery proteins by 60 kDa mugwort allergen in 3 patients  (RAST inhibition) Heiss et al. 1996
Celery: (birch pollen)
35 kDa birch pollen allergen and Bet v 1
Sera from birch pollen allergic patients reactive to 35 kDa allergen: 
IgE binding to celery extract inhibited by 35 kDa allergen and Bet v 1 from birch pollen (EAST inhibition)
Wellhausen et al. 1996
Celery extract, rApi g 1: (pollen)
birch pollen, rBet v 1, rBet v 2 profilin, timothy grass pollen extract;
21 patients with clinical relevant allergy to pollen and plant-derived food
Mixture of rBet v 1 and rBet v 2 inhibited IgE-binding to 10-14 kDa (profilin related) and 17-21 kDa (Bet v 1 related) celery allergens, timothy grass pollen inhibited IgE-binding to 10-14 kDa and 30-100 kDa allergens from celery; only weak inhibition of IgE-binding to Bet v 1 by rApi g 1 (immunoblot inhibition);
79% (2-100%) inhibition of IgE-binding to celery extract by mixture of rBet v 1 and rBet v 2 and 89% (4-100%) by mixture of rBet v1, rBet v 2, and timothy pollen extract  (9 sera)  (RAST inhibition)
Kazemi-Shirazi et al. 2000
Celery: (pollen, fruits)
birch pollen, apple and cherry extracts;
rBet v 1 (birch pollen), and Bet v 1 homologous allergens  rApi g 1 (celery), rMal d 1 (apple), and  rPru a 1 (cherry)
a) 4 birch pollen and cherry allergic patients:
No inhibition of IgE-binding by rApi g 1 to neither of the extracts or rBet v 1 and rPru a 1 (immunoblot inhibition estimated according to band intensities )
b) Max. inhibition of IgE binding to rApi g 1 by rMal d 1 and rPru a 1 <20% and by rBet v 1 >90%, estimated allergenic potencies:
rBet v 1 >> rMal d 1, rPru a 1 > rApi g 1
(EAST inhibition, 10 cherry and/or celery allergic patients)
c) Results indicate different epitopes of Api g 1 and fruit allergens (Mal d 1, Pru a 1)
Scheurer et al. 1999
Celery: (pollen, fruits)
a) birch pollen
b) mugwort pollen
c) lychee fruit
d) carbohydrate moieties
IgE binding to celery extract in celery allergic patients (DBPCFC positive):
a) >90% max. inhibition (3 sera, EAST inhibition)
b) >75% max. inhibition in 2 from 3 sera (EAST inhibition)
c) About 90% max. inhibition in 2 from 3 sera (EAST inhibition)
d) Complete inhibition of IgE binding to celery allergens >40 kDa by bromelain glycopeptide MXF (2 sera, immunoblot inhibition)
Lüttkopf et al. 2000
Celery: (carrot)
stick celery, carrot
Cross- reactivity between stick celery and raw carrot; detection of 17 kDa allergen in celery and carrot (RAST inhibition, immunoblot inhibition) Helbling et al. 1993
Celery: (carrot)
Dau c 1 from carrot, Api g 1
Pooled sera from 6 carrot allergic patients:
Reduction of IgE-binding to native Dau c 1 and complete inhibition to rDau c 1.2 by rApi g 1 from celery (immunoblot inhibition)
Hoffmann-Sommergruber et al. 1999b
Celery: (fruits, vegetables)
carrot, cucumber, watermelon
6 patients sensitive to celery, carrot, cucumber and/or watermelon (SPT, EAST): Cross- reactivity between all 4 foods; detection of 15 kDa allergen in all foods (RAST inhibition, immunoblot inhibition) Jordan-Wagner et al. 1993
Celery: (tomato)
tomato
6 Pollen and tomato sensitized patients: 51-85% inhibition of IgE binding to tomato extract by celery extract (EAST inhibition) Petersen et al. 1996
Celery: (apple)
apple
16 celery and/or apple allergic patients:
Detection of Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 homologous allergens in celery and apple extracts; inhibition of IgE binding to celery extract by apple extract and vice versa, allergenic potencies: apple > celery (ELISA and immunoblot inhibition)
Steurich & Feyerabend 1996
Celery: (spices)
pepper and paprika
Pooled sera from 5 patients with celery- birch- mugwort- spice syndrome:
Significant inhibition of IgE binding to pepper and paprika allergens by celery tuber extract and vice versa; no inhibition to pepper and paprika allergens by rBet v 1 and rBet v 2 (immunoblot inhibition)
Leitner et al. 1998a
Celery: (carbohydrate epitopes)
glycopeptide bromelain
Pooled serum from 5 celery allergic patients:
78% and 8.6% inhibition of IgE binding to bromelain by celery extracts and rApi g 1, respectively (ELISA inhibition)
Jankiewicz et al. 1998
Celery: (carbohydrate epitopes)
N-glycan from bromelain
7 celery allergic patients with IgE binding to N-glycan from bromelain:
22-100% maximal inhibition of IgE binding to celery by bromelain glycan (EAST inhibition);
Inhibition of IgE binding to multiple bands >40 kD from celery by bromelain glycan (immunoblot inhibition);
alpha 1,3-fucose key structure for IgE binding (chemical defucosylation)
Fötisch et al. 1999
*  multiple sensitization (not proven by  inhibition-tests)
 

9 Stability of Celery Allergens
 
Treatment / Ripening Effects References
Celery (Heat)
cooking
Sensitivity to raw and cooked celery (scratch chamber test, 13 celery allergic patients) Kremser & Lindemayr 1983
Celery (Heat)
boiled celery tubers (30 min), boiling water
70 patients with celery and pollen sensitivity (birch and/or mugwort) in SPT or intracutaneous test, positivity in SPT:
94% to raw celery tuber,
36% to cooked celery tuber,
8/13 to cooking water
Celery-birch sensitive patients (n=13):
negative or low RAST to heated celery extracts and to stick celery
Celery-mugwort sensitive patients (n=6):
positive RAST to heated celery extracts and high RAST values to stick celery
Wüthrich et al. 1990
Celery (Heat)
microwaved celery tubers (750 W, 100°C)
a) Reactivity of 46 celery sensitive patients (1):
78% to raw celery, 43% to celery heated for 30 min (SPT and/or EAST);
b) Reactivity of 30 celery and pollen allergic patients in EAST (2):
100% to raw celery, 
67% to celery heated for 10 min,
57% to celery heated for 30 min;
c) Api g 1 abolished after 10 min, profilin (Api g 4) after 30 min, and carbohydrate epitopes (allergens >30 / >35 kDa) were heat resistant (SDS-PAGE immunoblot) (1, 2)
(1) Jankiewicz et al. 1996
(2) Jankiewicz et al. 1998
Celery (Heat)
microwaved celery tubers (30 min, 100°C)
Heating of celery tuber reduced allergenic activity of Api g 1, while semipurified heated Api g 1 retained immunoreactivity (SDS-PAGE immunoblot) Vieths et al. 1998
Celery (Heat)
celery tubers (30 min, 100°C)
a) 22 celery allergic patients (DBPCFC positive): 68% of sera bound to allergens from native celery and 27% to heated celery allergens (EAST)
b) Api g 1 monosensitized patient: strong inhibition of IgE binding to native celery extract by rApi g 1, native celery extract, and birch pollen; no inhibition by heated celery extract (EAST inhibition)
c) CCD (cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants) monosensitized patients: >75% max. inhibition of IgE binding to celery extract by heated celery extract (EAST inhibition)
Lüttkopf et al. 2000
Celery (preservation)
preservation methods
a) gamma-irradiation (total dose of 10 kGy)
b) ultra high pressure (600 mPa / 20°C)
c) commercially dried celery powder
d) a high voltage impulse treatment
3 sera from celery sensitive patients with different specificity (to Api g 1,  profilin or glycoproteins >30 kDa, respectively):
Little changes (slight increase or decrease) in IgE binding for all 4 methods, none of the treatments resulted in loss of IgE binding (EAST);
new allergen band with 18-19 kDa detected in irradiated celery tuber (SDS-PAGE immunoblot)
Jankiewicz et al. 1997
Vieths et al. 1997
Celery (Enzymic Hydrolysis)
a) digestion with artificial gastric fluid (pepsin, cathepsin, and mucin, 2 h, 37°C)
b) followed by hydrolysis with pancreatic enzymes (45 min, 37°C) 
3 sera from celery sensitive patients:
a) loss of celery bands >40kDa, strong IgE binding to hydrolyzed proteins (immunoblot)
b) other proteins degraded with the exception of proteins at <20kDa and 38 kDa, strong reduction of IgE binding (immunoblot)
Vieths et al. 1997
Celery Extract (Deglycosylation)
deglycosylation by periodate treatment
Celery allergic patients:
Strong reduction of IgE binding to allergens > 30 / 35 kDa indicating carbohydrate epitopes, no difference in IgE binding to Api g 1 and Api g 4 (SDS-PAGE immunoblot, EAST inhibition)
8 from 12 sera showed IgE binding to bromelain glycopeptide (ELISA) (3)
(1) Vieths et al. 1994
(2) Jankiewicz et al. 1996
(3) Jankiewicz et al. 1998
Celery Extract (Deglycosylation)
deglycosylation by periodate treatment
Celery allergic patients: No difference in IgE binding (SDS-PAGE immunoblot) Bauer et al. 1996

10 Allergen Sources
 
Reported Adverse Reactions References
Food / Food additives
After ingestion of vegetable and as spice (1)
(1) see 2 Symptoms of Celery Allergy
Canned Celery
Local and systemic allergic reactions in 1 patient after ingestion of canned celery preparation, positive SPT to raw celery and negative SPT to cooked celery
Bauer et al. 1996

11 Food Allergen Labelling
 
Food Allergen  Labelling / Regulation Status References
International Regulations
Celery and products of these
not demanded  / advisary status (1) (1) Codex Alimentarius Commission 1999
European Regulations
Celery and celery products
not demanded / recommendation (1) (1) Bousquet et al. 1998

12 References
 



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