New peanut allergen

Monday, 07 September 2009 17:11

A study reported in the latest issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology aimed to identify the allergenic properties of peanut lipid transfer proteins and determine their importance as allergens.

The immunologic properties of Ara h 9 and the classic major peanut allergens, Ara h1, Ara h2, and Ara h3, were studied by using sera from subjects from Italy with peanut and peach allergy. Results showed Ara h 9 represented a minor allergen for subjects with peanut allergy. The frequency of sensitisation to the classic major peanut allergens was low in the study participants, therefore the researchers concluded that Ara h 9 was of particular significance for patients in the Mediterranean region with peanut allergy.

Reference: Krause et al. 2009. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2009.06.008