Molecular diagnosis of fruit and vegetable allergy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this paper is to review and discuss studies on molecular diagnosis in fruit and vegetable allergy. RECENT
FINDINGS: Celeriac, carrot and tomato are the most prevalent allergenic vegetables, whereas fruit allergy is mainly induced by apple, peach and kiwi. Component-resolved molecular diagnosis has been recently applied in two well-defined patient groups with kiwifruit and celeriac allergy, respectively. In kiwifruit allergy Act d 1 and Act d 3 were identified as potential marker allergens for severe symptoms. For celeriac allergy, however, such markers are still missing. In both studies component-resolved molecular diagnosis approach improved in particular sensitivity compared to extract-based diagnostic test assays.
SUMMARY: Food and vegetable allergy can be acquired both via a direct sensitization over the gastrointestinal tract and via a primary sensitization to pollen or latex. The diagnosis of fruit and vegetable allergy in birch pollen-sensitized patients should not be excluded on a negative IgE testing to extracts. Bet v 1-related allergens are often under-represented in extracts. Few recombinant allergens derived from fruits and vegetables are nowadays commercially available and facilitate diagnosis of fruit and vegetable allergies.