Ramon Lopez

and 2 more

Background: Non-specific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP) food allergy is a major problem in the Spanish Mediterranean area. Different clinical presentations of this syndrome and their relationship with laboratory test results have not been clearly described. The objective of this study was to describe a systematic work plan to serve as a basis for the identification of analytical sensitization profiles and their relationship with clinical symptoms. Methods: Samples from 210 patients, analysed by ImmunoCAP® ISAC 112, with at least one positive result for any LTP component were selected. Patients were classified into three main groups according to the type of symptoms: food-related (F), respiratory (R), and combined (FR). Results: Two subsets of specific IgE recognition were described according to clinical features (food and respiratory) and in vitro findings. In the food subset, four main sensitization profiles with clinical implications related to LTP components with higher IgE levels were identified: peach, walnut, peanut and hazelnut. No single LTP component was related to severity of symptoms. A total of 65 different LTP component patterns were detected; only one pattern in peach profile was associated with anaphylaxis severity. Par j 2 was a severity marker of respiratory allergy. Ole e 7 was considered a food allergy marker in patients with multiple LTP recognition, but it was marker for respiratory allergy when it was the only positive LTP and associated with Ole e 1. Conclusion: A new systematic work plan to identify nsLTP sensitization profiles is described, allowing more individualized and accurate treatment of patients.