RAST-SPECIFIC IGE AGAINST SPICES IN PATIENTS SENSITIZED AGAINST BIRCH POLLEN, MUGWORT POLLEN AND CELERY

Sera of 41 patients with an isolated or combined sensitization (RAST class 2 or higher) against birch pollen, mugwort pollen and celery were tested for specific IgE against 21 different spices. Patients with specific IgE only against birch pollen did not show any sensitization against spices. The sensitization against birch pollen and celery coincided with low specific IgE against Umbelliferae (fennel, aniseed, lovage, etc.) and Labiatae (basil, thyme, oregano), however not against other spices. Those with specific IgE only against mugwort pollen as well as mugwort pollen and celery had - beside cross reactivity within the Umbelliferae family - specific IgE against spices of the families of Piperaceae (peppers) and Gingiberaceae (ginger, dardamon), but not against members of the Labiatae family. The strongest and broadest sensitization against spices was seen in the patient group with a birch pollen - mugwort pollen - celery allergy. These results confirm our previous works about the "celery-mugwort-spices-syndrome". Celery-mugwort-associated (heatstable?) antigens seem to occur in spices of the pepper and paprika family, (heatlabile?) celery-birch associated antigens probably in members of the Labiatae.