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Background: Peanut allergy is recognized as one of the most severe food allergies. Some studies have investigated the effects of enzymatic treatments on the in vitro immunological reactivity of members of the Leguminosae family, such as the soybean, chickpea and lentil. Nevertheless, there are only a few studies carried out with sera from patients with a well-documented allergy. Methods: Roasted peanut protein extract was hydrolyzed by the sequential and individual action of 2 food-grade enzymes, an endoprotease (Alcalase) and an exoprotease (Flavourzyme). Immunoreactivity to roasted peanut extract and hydrolyzed samples was evaluated by means of IgE immunoblot, ELISA and 2-dimensional electrophoresis using sera from 5 patients with a clinical allergy to peanuts and anti-Ara h 1, anti-Ara h 2 and anti-Ara h 3 immunoblots. Results: Immunoblot and ELISA assays showed an important decrease of IgE reactivity and Ara h 1, Ara h 2 and Ara h 3 levels in the first 30 min of hydrolyzation with Alcalase. In contrast, individual treatment with Flavourzyme caused an increase in IgE reactivity detected by ELISA at 30 min and led to a 65% inhibition of IgE reactivity at the end of the assay (300 min). Ara h 1 and the basic subunit of Ara h 3 were still recognized after treatment with Flavourzyme for 300 min. Conclusion: Hydrolysis with the endoprotease Alcalase decreases IgE reactivity in the soluble protein fraction of roasted peanut better than hydrolysis with the exoprotease Flavourzyme. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A considerable number of pollen-allergic patients develops allergy to plant foods, which has been attributed to cross-reactivity between food and pollen allergens. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences among pollen-allergic patients with and without plant food allergy. Methods: Eight hundred and six patients were recruited from 8 different hospitals. Each clinical research group included 100 patients (50 plant food-allergic patients and 50 pollen-allergic patients). Diagnosis of pollen allergy was based on typical case history of pollen allergy and positive skin prick tests. Diagnosis of plant-food allergy was based on clear history of plant-food allergy, skin prick tests and/or plant-food challenge tests. A panel of 28 purified allergens from pollens and/or plant foods was used to quantify specific IgE (ADVIA-Centaur® platform). Results: Six hundred and sixty eight patients (83%) of the 806 evaluated had pollen allergy: 396 patients with pollen allergy alone and 272 patients with associated food and pollen allergies. A comparison of both groups showed a statistically significant increase in the food and pollen allergy subgroup in frequency of: (1) asthma (47 vs. 59%; p < 0.001); (2) positive skin test results to several pollens: Plantago,Platanus,Artemisia,Betula,Parietaria and Salsola (p < 0.001); (3) sensitization to purified allergens: Pru p 3, profilin, Pla a 1 – Pla a 2, Sal k 1, PR-10 proteins and Len c 1. Conclusion: Results showed relevant and significant differences between both groups of pollen-allergic patients depending on whether or not they suffered from plant-derived food allergy. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]