Sensitisation to peanut seed storage protein Ara h 7 in Hungarian children

Abstract Purpose Peanut 2S albumins are the best predictors of severe peanut allergy. Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 sensitisation is widely studied. In this study, we analysed in greater detail the pattern of Ara h 7 sensitisation among Hungarian children with suspected peanut allergy, compared to their sensitisation to Ara h 2 and Ara h 6. Materials/Methods: Stored and anonymised numerical data from molecular IgE allergy tests of 110 subjects aged between 1 and 14 years with suspected peanut allergy from across Hungary were analysed retrospectively. Results A total of 59 children (53.5%) were sensitised to at least one peanut 2S albumin (Ara h 2 / Ara h 6 / Ara h 7). Of these, 39 children (66.1%) were sensitised to Ara h 7, including 1 child (1.7%) who was monosensitised. Levels of Ara h 7–specific IgE (sIgE) showed moderate to strong correlation with levels of Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 sIgE. By age group, the mean (SD) for Ara h 7 sIgE levels was 11.3 (18.4) kU/L for children aged 1 to 2; 20.2 (34.7) kU/L for children aged 3 to 6; and 49.9 (40.0) kU/L for children aged between 7 and 14. Conclusions Ara h 7 is a relevant allergen of the peanut 2S albumin protein family. Although co-sensitisation is typical, monosensitisation also occurs. The mean level of Ara h 7 sIgE increased with age and was significantly higher between the ages of 7 and 14 than between the ages of 3 and 6.