Background: Peanuts (PN) and tree nuts (TN) are major causes of
anaphylaxis worldwide. We aimed to determine the clinical and demographic characteristics associated with
anaphylaxis in patients sensitized to PN and/or TN in a Mediterranean population. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study, which included 198 patients allergic to PN and/or TN (
allergy symptoms plus specific
immunoglobulin E [sIgE] sensitization), evaluated in consultations from January 2015 to December 2020. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression models were developed, including demographic, clinical, and laboratory data as independent variables, and
anaphylaxis to each PN and/or TN as a dependent variables. Results:
Anaphylaxis was associated with an earlier age of onset of
allergy to PN, cashew and/or pistachio, and pine
nut allergy but not to other TN
allergies. Gender, atopic comorbidities, and cofactors were not associated with PN and/or TN
anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis to PN, cashew and/or pistachio, and pine nut were associated with reactivity to a fewer number of PN and/or TN foods. Although sIgE sensitization to
lipid transfer
proteins (LTP) was highly prevalent in our population, only
seed storage protein (SSP) positivity was associated with
anaphylaxis in PN
allergy. The absence of pathogenesis-related
protein family 10 sensitization correlated with PN and hazelnut
anaphylaxis. A higher level of sIgE to almond extract predicted
anaphylaxis but the level of sIgE to other PN and/or TN extracts did not predict it. Conclusion: The high prevalence of sensitization to the pan-
allergen LTP did not seem to have a significant impact in PN and/or TN
allergy severity in our study. Instead, other factors, such as early age of onset and positivity for SSPs, seem to strongly associate with
anaphylaxis to specific PN and/or TN. These findings may contribute to individual risk assessment in these populations.