Nut Allergy in Two Different Areas of Spain: Differences in Clinical and Molecular Pattern.
INTRODUCTION: Different clinical and molecular patterns of food allergy have been reported in different areas of the world. The aim of the study is to evaluate differences in allergen patterns among nut-allergic patients in two different areas of Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 77 patients with nut allergy from two different regions of Spain (Madrid and Asturias) were evaluated. RESULTS: Hazelnut, peanut, and walnut were the three most frequent nuts eliciting allergy in both regions, but in a different order. Patients from Madrid experienced systemic reactions more often than patients from Asturias (73.5% Madrid vs. 50.0%, p < 0.05). The percentage of sensitizations to LTP (Lipid Transfer Protein) was higher than Bet v 1 (p < 0.05) in the Madrid area. The percentage of sensitizations in Asturias area was similar to LTP than Bet v 1 (Pru p 3 46.4%, Bet v 1 42.9%, ns). Bet v 1 was the predominant allergen involved among hazelnut-allergic patients (56.2%), while LTP was more common in peanut-allergic patients (61.5%). CONCLUSION: Walnut, hazelnut, and peanut were the most frequent nuts eliciting allergy in Spain. Despite this, important differences in molecular pattern were appreciated not only between both regions, but also among nut-allergic patients in Asturias. The different molecular pattern was linked to the frequency of systemic symptoms.
Identification and characterization of the proteins bound by specific phage‐displayed recombinant antibodies (scFv) obtained against Brazil nut and almond extracts.
BACKGROUND: Almonds and Brazil nuts are widely consumed allergenic nuts whose presence must be declared according to food labelling regulations. Their detection in food products has been recently achieved by ELISA methods with recombinant antibodies (scFv) isolated against complete Brazil nut and almond protein extracts. The screening of phage-scFv libraries against complete protein extracts confers a series of advantages over the use of purified proteins, as recombinant proteins might alter their native folding. However, using this strategy, the nature of the target detected by phage-displayed antibodies remains unknown, and requires further research to identify whether they are nut allergens or other molecules present in the extract, but not related to their allergenic potential. RESULTS: Electrophoretic, chromatographic, immunological and spectrometric techniques revealed that the Brazil nut (BE95) and almond (PD1F6 and PD2C9) specific phage-scFvs detected conformational epitopes of the Brazil nut and almond 11S globulins, recognized by WHO/IUIS as Ber e 2 and Pru du 6 major allergens. Circular dichroism data indicated that severe heat treatment would entail loss of epitope structure, disabling scFv for target detection. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of important Brazil nut and almond allergens (Ber e 2 and Pru du 6) in foodstuffs can be determined by using phage-display antibodies BE95, PD1F6 and PD2C9 as affinity probes in ELISA.
BSACI guideline for the diagnosis and management of peanut and tree nut allergy.
Peanut nut and tree nut allergy are characterised by IgE mediated reactions to nut proteins. Nut allergy is a global disease. Limited epidemiological data suggest varying prevalence in different geographical areas. Primary nut allergy affects over 2% of children and 0.5% of adults in the UK. Infants with severe eczema and/or egg allergy have a higher risk of peanut allergy. Primary nut allergy presents most commonly in the first five years of life, often after the first known ingestion with typical rapid onset IgE-mediated symptoms. The clinical diagnosis of primary nut allergy can be made by the combination of a typical clinical presentation and evidence of nut specifc IgE shown by a positive skin prick test (SPT) or specific IgE (sIgE) test. Pollen food syndrome is a distinct disorder, usually mild, with oral/pharyngeal symptoms, in the context of hay fever or pollen sensitisation, which can be triggered by nuts. It can usually be distinguish clinically from primary nut allergy. The magnitude of a SPT or sIgE relates to the probability of clinical allergy, but does not relate to clinical severity. SPT of ≥ 8 mm or sIgE ≥ 15 KU/L to peanut is highly predictive of clinical allergy. Cut off values are not available for tree nuts. Test results must be interpreted in the context of the clinical history. Diagnostic food challenges are usually not necessary but may be used to confirm or refute a conflicting history and test result. As nut allergy is likely to be a long-lived disease, nut avoidance advice is the cornerstone of management. Patients should be provided with a comprehensive management plan including avoidance advice, patient specific emergency medication and an emergency treatment plan and training in administration of emergency medication. Regular re-training is required.
Cross-reactivity profiles of legumes and tree nuts using the xMAP® multiplex food allergen detection assay.
The homology between proteins in legumes and tree nuts makes it common for individuals with food allergies to be allergic to multiple legumes and tree nuts. This propensity for allergenic and antigenic cross-reactivity means that commonly employed commercial immunodiagnostic assays (e.g., dipsticks) for the detection of food allergens may not always accurately detect, identify, and quantitate legumes and tree nuts unless additional orthogonal analytical methods or secondary measures of analysis are employed. The xMAP® Multiplex Food Allergen Detection Assay (FADA) was used to determine the cross-reactivity patterns and the utility of multi-antibody antigenic profiling to distinguish between legumes and tree nuts. Pure legumes and tree nuts extracted using buffered detergent displayed a high level of cross-reactivity that decreased upon dilution or by using a buffer (UD buffer) designed to increase the stringency of binding conditions and reduce the occurrence of false positives due to plant-derived lectins. Testing for unexpected food allergens or the screening for multiple food allergens often involves not knowing the identity of the allergen present, its concentration, or the degree of modification during processing. As such, the analytical response measured may represent multiple antigens of varying antigenicity (cross-reactivity). This problem of multiple potential analytes is usually unresolved and the focus becomes the primary analyte, the antigen the antibody was raised against, or quantitative interpretation of the content of the analytical sample problematic. The alternative solution offered here to this problem is the use of an antigenic profile as generated by the xMAP FADA using multiple antibodies (bead sets). By comparing the antigenic profile to standards, the allergen may be identified along with an estimate of the concentration present. Cluster analysis of the xMAP FADA data was also performed and agreed with the known phylogeny of the legumes and tree nuts being analyzed. Graphical abstract The use of cluster analysis to compare the multi-antigen profiles of food allergens.
IUNS 21st International Congress of Nutrition
The INC is organizing a symposium titled “Nuts and dried fruit consumption and health: New insights” on Tuesday, October 17, from 5:00PM to 7:00PM. The symposium will gather together prestigious international researchers, and will bring the opportunity to spread the health benefits of nuts and dried fruit to a large group of health professionals and researchers.
Prof. Jordi Salas-Salvadó from Rovira i Virgili University (Spain) will be the chairman of the symposium and the guest speakers will give a presentation on:
- Nut consumption and cognitive function.
Dr. Emilio Ros (University of Barcelona, Spain).
- Dried fruit consumption and osteoporosis (bone health).
Dr. Bahram H. Arjmandi (Florida State University, USA).
- Effect of nut consumption on insulin resistance/secretion and diabetes control.
Dr. Cyril Kendall (University of Toronto, Canada).
Please visit this webpage for more information about the congress: http://icn2017.com/
IUNS 21st International Congress of Nutrition
The INC is organizing a symposium titled “Nuts and dried fruit consumption and health: New insights” on Tuesday, October 17, from 5:00PM to 7:00PM. The symposium will gather together prestigious international researchers, and will bring the opportunity to spread the health benefits of nuts and dried fruit to a large group of health professionals and researchers.
Prof. Jordi Salas-Salvadó from Rovira i Virgili University (Spain) will be the chairman of the symposium and the guest speakers will give a presentation on:
- Nut consumption and cognitive function.
Dr. Emilio Ros (University of Barcelona, Spain).
- Dried fruit consumption and osteoporosis (bone health).
Dr. Bahram H. Arjmandi (Florida State University, USA).
- Effect of nut consumption on insulin resistance/secretion and diabetes control.
Dr. Cyril Kendall (University of Toronto, Canada).
Please visit this webpage for more information about the congress: http://icn2017.com/
International Seedless Dried Grape Producing Countries Conference
Monterey (California) will be hosting the International Seedless Dried Grape Producing Countries Conference, where experts will be able to exchange information on world production and marketing.
The INC Participates for the First Time in WorldFood Moscow
Last September the INC participated in WorldFood Moscow, the major meeting place for the food and drinks industry in Russia and a vibrant source of products for the East European market. The INC featured a 22.5 sq m individual booth, resembling the concept already exhibited at previous trade shows such as SIAL-Interfood Jakarta 2016.
Attending WorldFood served a double purpose. On the one hand, the objective was to disseminate and promote the INC itself, its mission and projects, its sponsorship opportunities and the benefits of membership. In this regard, the event resulted in a remarkably productive experience, with dozens of leaders and representatives from companies approaching the stand to learn about the institution, request information about membership and, in significant numbers, to show their interest in joining INC.
On the other hand, Moscow was one of the chosen destinations to present the ‘Nuts for Gifts’ dissemination program. Brochures and gift samples of the initiative were displayed at the booth in order to provide visual examples of what ‘Nuts for Gifts’ is about.
WorldFood Moscow is the main platform in Russia where food trade professionals, international associations, government ministers and the international press can assess the market, network with existing and new clients, as well as conduct and close deals for the future. WorldFood Moscow annually gathers international food and drink companies from over 62 countries.
The INC Participates for the First Time in WorldFood Moscow
Last September the INC participated in WorldFood Moscow, the major meeting place for the food and drinks industry in Russia and a vibrant source of products for the East European market. The INC featured a 22.5 sq m individual booth, resembling the concept already exhibited at previous trade shows such as SIAL-Interfood Jakarta 2016.
Attending WorldFood served a double purpose. On the one hand, the objective was to disseminate and promote the INC itself, its mission and projects, its sponsorship opportunities and the benefits of membership. In this regard, the event resulted in a remarkably productive experience, with dozens of leaders and representatives from companies approaching the stand to learn about the institution, request information about membership and, in significant numbers, to show their interest in joining INC.
On the other hand, Moscow was one of the chosen destinations to present the ‘Nuts for Gifts’ dissemination program. Brochures and gift samples of the initiative were displayed at the booth in order to provide visual examples of what ‘Nuts for Gifts’ is about.
WorldFood Moscow is the main platform in Russia where food trade professionals, international associations, government ministers and the international press can assess the market, network with existing and new clients, as well as conduct and close deals for the future. WorldFood Moscow annually gathers international food and drink companies from over 62 countries.