Food Allergies and Intolerance |
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Leben mit Nahrungsmittel-Allergie |
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Allergen Data Collection:
Celery (Apium graveolens) ............................................... |
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Authors in alphabetical order [contact
information]
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Abstract
IgE mediated reactions to celery are common in food allergic adults
in Europe. Sensitization to celery is frequently associated with birch
and/or mugwort pollinosis, hence the term "birch- mugwort- celery- syndrome"
has been established. There is evidence that birch pollen and celery allergy
are highly related in Central Europe, while celery allergy is most frequently
related to mugwort pollen in Southern Europe. Moreover, allergies to carrot
and spices, predominantly of the umbelliferous family, are highly associated
to celery allergy. Celery can induce allergic reactions of immediate type
from oral contact urticaria to anaphylactic shock. About 30% of patients
with oral allergy syndrome are allergic to celery.
Diagnostic tests like skin tests with raw celery and active allergen
extracts have high positive predictive values, while the negative predictive
values are low. Roots, also called tuber or celeriac, and sticks from the
celery plant are used in nutrition and diagnostic procedures. Usually the
frequency of sensitization to celery tuber is higher than to celery stick
in celery allergic subjects. Celery tuber and stick are consumed as a raw
or cooked vegetable and as a spice which is a common hidden allergen in
various processed foods. Despite its high allergenic potency and at least
partial thermostability celery and celery products are currently not included
in mandatory labelling regulations for food allergens.
At least three groups of cross- reactive allergens have been identified
in celery: 1. Bet v 1 homologous 16 kDa allergen (Api g 1) with IgE cross-
reactivity to birch pollen, fruits, and vegetables (eg. apple and carrot),
2. The actin- binding panallergen profilin (Api g 4) with appr. 15 kDa,
and 3. Allergens in the range of 30-70 kDa, including the recently described
55/58 kDa isoallergens (Api g 5) cross-reactive to birch pollen and mugwort
pollen.
The present data collection reviews detailed information on the prevalence
and symptoms of celery allergy as well as cross- reactivities, and molecular
biological and allergenic properties of the major celery allergens in tabular
form.
Disclaimer
The reference lists of the Allergen Data Collections
are based mainly on searches of Medline and FSTA (Food Science & Technology
Abstracts) databases up to the related dates of publication. The scientific
rigor of the studies listed is variable and not subject of critique or
evaluation by the authors or the editor of the Allergen Data Collections.
The reader should be aware of considerable problems in comparing data from
different studies (eg. patient cohorts, diagnostic performances, possible
flaws in allergen preparations and methodologies for allergen characterization)
and is encouraged to review the original publications.
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