Detection of Bet v1, Bet v2 and Bet v4 Specific IgE Antibodies in the Sera of Children and Adult Patients Allergic to Birch Pollen: Evaluation of Different IgE Reactivity Profiles Depending on Age and Local Sensitization

Abstract

Background: Birch pollen belongs to the major allergen triggers in the spring season in Europe. Our rapidly expanding knowledge of the allergenic molecules enables us to better recognize the individual differences between the reactivity of specific IgE antibodies of individual patients and allergic populations living in various regions of the world. Method: In a group of birch pollen-allergic patients living in the Czech Republic (107 children, 71 adults) we detected the presence of Bet v1, Bet v2 and Bet v4 specific IgE antibodies. Results: Bet v1 specific IgE antibodies were identified in most patients without any significant differences between children and adults. Bet v2 positivity was found more frequently in the group of children than in adults (p = 0.02). In most adult patients Bet v1 monospecificity was more expressed as compared to the pediatric group. More allergic subjects reacted against minor birch allergens in the pediatric group (p = 0.02). Specific IgE antibodies against Bet v1 were not detected in 10% of the tested patients. In this group, 5% of birch pollen-allergic patients were found to not have specific IgE antibodies against any of the tested recombinant allergens. Conclusion: The investigation of specific IgE antibodies against Bet v1, Bet v2 and Bet v4 demonstrated that the specificity of allergen-induced IgE antibodies in birch pollen-allergic individuals is dependent not only on the region in which a patient lives but also on age. Especially in children, there is an increase in the number of allergic subjects who do not react exclusively against the major allergen. The question is whether some allergen-specific IgE antibodies will disappear depending on age or on the contrary whether their synthesis will be increased.

Profiles of Birch Sensitization (Bet v 1, Bet v 2, and Bet v 4) and Oral Allergy Syndrome Across Italy

“…The first part of the present study showed a significant gradient of sensitization across Italy for all birch allergens, thus confirming findings from previous studies [19][20][21][22]. The findings for Genoa in particular, in terms of both sensitization profile and prevalence of OAS, are surprising.…”

“…An intriguing gradient of sensitization across Europe has been reported: Bet v 1 is predominant in northern Europe, whereas Bet v 2 and Bet v 4 are more relevant in southern Europe [19][20][21][22]. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the profile of sensitization to birch allergen molecules in a large sample of allergic patients in Italy by taking into consideration the geographic area and the presence of associated OAS.…”

Allerjenik Betula (Huş Ağacı) Polenlerinin Türkiye’deki Dağılımları

“…Huş ağacı polenlerindeki allerjenlerin belirlenmesine yönelik yapılan çalışmada Betula pendula (=Betula verrucosa) türünde 9-35 kDa arasında allerjenler (Bet v 1-7) saptanmıştır (11,(64)(65)(66)(67)(68)(69)(70). Huş ağacı polen duyarlılığı bulunan hastaların %90'nından fazlasında majör allerjen Bet v 1 allerjenidir (71). Betula poleninde allerjenler özellikle sitoplazmada amiloplastlarda, polen duvarında ve por kenarlarında yerleşmişlerdir (72)(73)(74) (93).…”

Bet v 1- and Bet v 2-Associated Plant Food Sensitization in Uganda and Germany: Differences and Similarities

“…This finding is in agreement with results of several other studies. Sekerkova and Polackova [3] stated that the prevalence of Bet v 1-, Bet v 2- and Bet v 4-specific IgE in birch pollen-allergic individuals is dependent not only on the region in which they live but also on their age. Mediaty and Neuber [25] found that total and allergen-specific serum IgE decreases with age in patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma but not in patients with atopic dermatitis.…”

“…In Europe, epidemiological studies have shown an increasing prevalence of IgE-mediated allergy and nowadays up to 25% of the European population suffer from some form of atopic diseases [2,3]. In Africa the prevalence of atopic dermatitis, asthma and allergic rhinitis has also been increasing over the past decades [4].…”