Clinical Information

Immunoglobulin E antibodies to the Bet v 2a profilin protein have been reported in 10% to 38% of birch pollen-allergic patients. Birch pollen is highly allergenic and is a significant cause of immediate hypersensitivity, affecting as much as 5% to 50% of the population of Western Europe. The presence of antibodies to Bet v 2, may also indicate sensitivity to other profilin containing pollens including ragweed pollen, mugwort pollen, and timothy grass pollen.

The profilin Bet v2 is related to, and cross-reactive with, antibodies to the potential peanut allergen profilin Ara h5. As profilin proteins are present in many other foods, sensitivity to profilin Bet v2 may be associated in broad allergen cross-reactivity among foods, including mango, peach, apple, hazelnut, celery, carrot, paprika, anise, fennel, coriander, cumin, tomato, and potato.

The most common manifestation of allergy to food in profilin related allergic individuals is oral allergy syndrome. Profilins are generally not resistant to heat and digestion. Individuals with birch pollen allergy and oral allergy syndrome are more frequently allergic to apples and peaches than to other foods. In cases of allergic reaction associated with oral allergy syndrome, rhinitis, itching, tingling, and other mild reactions on the oropharyngeal mucosa were reported to be the most common complaints.