Department of Food Science and Technology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
Allergol Int. 2011 Dec;60(4):425-32. doi: 10.2332/allergolint.10-OA-0222. Epub 2011 May 25.
Tree nut allergy is characterized by a high frequency of life-threatening reactions and is typically lifelong persistent. Some people with a pistachio nut allergy, which is common in the pistachio rich area of Iran, develop a hypersensitivity to other tree nuts as well. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of pistachio nut allergy in Iran, the major pistachio cultivation region in the world. The study also addressed the presence of allergenic cross-reactivity between pistachio and other nuts, including almond, peanut, and cashew in pistachio allergic patients.
A survey was conducted to determine whether the prevalence of pistachio allergy is affected by exposure to this nut in pistachio cultivation regions, as well as possible cross-reactivity between pistachio and other nuts including cashew, almond, and peanut. Inhibition Western blot and inhibition ELISA studies were conducted to assess the presence of allergenic cross-reactivity between pistachio and the other tree nuts.
Our results revealed that the prevalence of pistachio allergy is twice as much in pistachio cultivation regions than other areas. Western blotting and inhibition ELISA presented high percentages of inhibition with pistachio and cashew, followed by almond and, to some degree, peanut which indicates different levels of allergenic cross-reactivity.
The results indicate that exposure of people to pistachio significantly affects the prevalence of its allergic reactions. In addition, it was observed that, among pistachio allergic subjects, such exposure may affect the co-sensitivities with other nuts, including cashew and almond. The plant taxonomic classification of pistachio and other tree nuts does appear to predict allergenic cross-reactivity.
树坚果过敏的特点是发生危及生命的反应频率高，且通常持续终生。一些对原产于伊朗的开心果过敏的人，也会对其他树坚果产生过敏反应。本研究旨在调查世界主要开心果种植区伊朗的开心果过敏流行情况，同时还研究了在开心果过敏患者中，开心果与其他坚果（包括杏仁、花生和腰果）之间是否存在变应原交叉反应。
进行了一项调查，以确定在开心果种植区接触这种坚果是否会影响开心果过敏的流行情况，以及开心果与其他坚果（包括腰果、杏仁和花生）之间是否存在可能的交叉反应。采用抑制 Western blot 和抑制 ELISA 研究来评估开心果与其他坚果之间是否存在变应原交叉反应。
我们的结果表明，在开心果种植区，开心果过敏的流行率是其他地区的两倍。Western blot 和抑制 ELISA 分析显示，开心果和腰果的抑制率较高，其次是杏仁，在某种程度上还有花生，这表明存在不同程度的变应原交叉反应。
研究结果表明，人们接触开心果会显著影响其过敏反应的流行率。此外，观察到在开心果过敏患者中，这种接触可能会影响与其他坚果（包括腰果和杏仁）的共敏性。开心果和其他树坚果的植物分类学分类似乎确实可以预测变应原交叉反应。
