Sunflower seed allergy

Abstract

Sunflower seeds are a rare source of allergy, but several cases of occupational allergies to sunflowers have been described. Sunflower allergens on the whole, however, still await precise and systematic description. We present an interesting case of a 40-year-old male patient, admitted to hospital due to shortness of breath and urticaria, both of which appeared shortly after the patient ingested sunflower seeds. Our laryngological examination revealed swelling of the pharynx with retention of saliva and swelling of the mouth and tongue. During diagnostics, 2 months later, we found that skin prick tests were positive to mugwort pollen (12/9 mm), oranges (6/6 mm), egg protein (3/3 mm), and hazelnuts (3/3 mm). A native prick by prick test with sunflower seeds was strongly positive (8/5 mm). Elevated concentrations of specific IgE against weed mix (inc. lenscale, mugwort, ragweed) allergens (1.04 IU/mL), Artemisia vulgaris (1.36 IU/mL), and Artemisia absinthium (0.49 IU/mL) were found. An ImmunoCap ISAC test found an average level of specific IgE against mugwort pollen allergen component Art v 1 -5,7 ISU-E, indicating an allergy to mugwort pollen and low to medium levels of specific IgE against lipid transfer proteins (LTP) found in walnuts, peanuts, mugwort pollen, and hazelnuts. Through the ISAC inhibition test we proved that sunflower seed allergen extracts contain proteins cross-reactive with patients' IgE specific to Art v 1, Art v 3, and Jug r 3. Based on our results and the clinical pattern of the disease we confirmed that the patient is allergic to mugwort pollen and that he had an anaphylactic reaction as a result of ingesting sunflower seeds. We suspected that hypersensitivity to sunflower LTP and defensin-like proteins, both cross-reactive with mugwort pollen allergens, were the main cause of the patient's anaphylactic reaction.

Analysis of allergen profile in patients sensitized to canine allergen and potential Can f 5 cross-reactivity with human PSA

“…In this way, it was possible to confirm the cross-reaction of Art v 1 and 3 of mugwort in a patient allergic to sunflower seeds and Art v 1 in a patient allergic to mango. 21 , 22 An experimental model based on a solid phase ELISA plate has now been used to confirm cross-reactivity of IgE Can f 5 with human PSA. It is an original model developed by our team.…”

Anaphylactic reaction in patient allergic to mango

“…The inhibition test used for confirmation of the cross-allergy as a source of symptoms in a mugwort-allergic patient was described, among others, in 2016: the reported test confirmed a cross-allergy to mugwort Art v 1 and Art v 3 in a patient who developed an anaphylactic reaction following consumption of sunflower seeds [ 12 ].…”

“…For example, in our research unit a case of a patient allergic to sunflower seed was described, where ImmunoCap ISAC inhibition test was used to prove cross reactivity. In the inhibition test Art v 1, Art v 3, and Jug r 3 were inhibited by the protein present in the sunflower seed allergen extract [ 12 ].…”

Allergenicity of Fermented Foods: Emphasis on Seeds Protein-Based Products

“…Buckwheat was also reported as the causative allergen for 0.8% of Korean patients, appearing as frequently as allergies to wheat or lobster proteins [ 36 ]. Some rare cases of food allergy to sunflower seeds [ 37 ], poppy seeds [ 38 , 39 ], pumpkin seeds [ 40 ], and flaxseed [ 41 ] were also reported. An increase in this prevalence can be expected due to recent trends in nutritional behavior, with increased numbers of vegetarian or flexitarian consumers that use these seeds and their proteins as ingredients in their meal composition.…”