Understanding the molecular sensitization for Cypress pollen and peach in the Languedoc-Roussillon area

Abstract

Background Cypress allergy is a typical winter pollinosis and the most frequent one in the South of France. Main symptoms are rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma. Peach allergy is common too in Southern Europe. Allergic cross-reactions between cypress and peach have been reported, including an oral allergy syndrome. We wanted to investigate whether a cross-reactive allergen between cypress and peach might be responsible for the observed clinical association. Methods We analyzed 127 patients included over a 3-month period, outside the pollen season, and we dosed specific IgE levels, for selected, individual allergens. Results Patients sensitized to peach were mainly positive for the peach-nonspecific lipid-transfer protein. Conclusions Profilins or thaumatins could not explain the observed clinical association between cypress and peach. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.