Specific IgE determinations to crude and boiled lentil (Lens culinaris) extracts in lentil-sensitive children and controls.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to evaluate the allergenicity of boiled and crude lentil extracts and to compare specific IgE binding in tolerant and nontolerant lentil-allergic children. METHODS: Thirty-eight children were studied and divided into three groups. Group I comprised 24 children with a positive open oral challenge, or a convincing history of anaphylaxis after the ingestion of lentils; group II comprised nine children with a history of allergic reactions in the past, but currently tolerant of lentils; and group III comprised five children allergic to other legumes, but always tolerant of the ingestion of lentils. Specific IgE determinations and ELISA inhibitions were performed with the crude and boiled lentil extracts. The allergenic profile of both extracts was evaluated by SDS-PAGE and immunoblot. RESULTS: Mean specific IgE levels in group I were significantly higher than in groups II and III. The heating process caused a significant decrease in specific IgE binding. However, IgE-inhibition studies showed that the boiled lentil extract had a greater inhibitory capacity than the crude extract. Immunoblots revealed no important differences in IgE-binding patterns between the two extracts. Multiple allergens were detected in a wide range of molecular masses. CONCLUSIONS: Boiled lentil extracts maintain strong allergenicity. Patients who have developed tolerance of lentil ingestion have lower specific IgE levels than symptomatic patients.

[Sensitization to paprika: anaphylaxis after intake and rhinoconjunctivitis after contact through airways]. / Sensibilización al pimentón: anafilaxia por ingestión y rinoconjuntivitis tras contacto por vía aérea.

naphylaxis after the intake of paprika and with rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms related to her current occupation, as spices-and-condiment seller, induced the patient to attend to a medical consult. The patient tolerated another solanaceous in her diet. The study was based on skin test using own extracts of different solanaceous, both at room temperature and after warming them up. Skin test with prick-by-prick test were also carried out with fresh solanaceous. All skin tests showed a positive result. The study was completed with conjunctival challenge-test using all the different extracts (positive result with paprika) and use-test with fresh solanaceous (positive result with paprika). In laboratory study, specific IgE was detected to all the solanaceous, as well as histamine release-test positive. Crossed-reactivity between the paprika antigenic determinant recognized by the patient and the one presented by the rest of solanaceous could not be detected using RAST-inhibition studies. This results and the good tolerance of other solanaceous in diet could show that the paprika's antigenic determinant, what induced allergic symptoms in the patient, was not present in the rest of solanaceous.