INTRODUCTION

Allergy to nonspecific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP) is the main cause of plant-food allergy in Spain. nsLTPs are widely distributed in the plant kingdom and have high cross-reactivity but extremely variable clinical expression. Little is known about the natural evolution of this allergy, which complicates management. The objective of this study was to assess the development of allergy to new plant foods in nsLTP-sensitized patients 10 years after diagnosis.

METHODS

One hundred fifty-one patients showing specific IgE to nsLTP determined by ISAC (Thermofisher) were included. After clinical workup (i.e., anamnesis, skin test, and challenge when needed), these patients were divided into two groups: 113 patients allergic to one or more plant food (74.5%) and 38 patients not allergic to any plant food (25.1%). Ten years later, a telephone interview was conducted to check whether patients had developed additional allergic reactions to plant foods.

RESULTS

Ten years after diagnosis, 35 of the 113 (31%) plant-food-allergic patients sensitized to nsLTP reported reactions to new, previously tolerated plant foods, mainly / fruits and nuts followed by vegetables, / fruits, legumes, and cereals. Five out of 38 (13.2%) patients previously sensitized to nsLTP but without allergy to any plant food had experienced allergic reactions to some plant food: two to / fruits, two to / fruit and nuts, and one to legumes.

CONCLUSION

Patients sensitized to nsLTP developed allergic reactions to other plant foods, mainly fruits and nuts. This was more frequent among plant-food-allergic patients than among those who had never had plant-food allergy.