Mono-sensitisation to peanut component Ara h 6: a case series of five children and literature review

Eur J Pediatr. 2016 Sep;175(9):1227-1234. doi: 10.1007/s00431-016-2733-7. Epub 2016 May 20.

Abstract

Here, we summarise the current clinical knowledge on Ara h 6 sensitisation and clinical relevance of this sensitisation pattern using five illustrative clinical cases. The literature search yielded a total of 166 papers, and an additional relevant article was found by 'snowballing'. A total of ten articles were considered relevant for this review. Most studies included patients with a sensitisation to Ara h 6 and cosensitisation to Ara h 2. Only three studies showed patients with a mono-sensitisation to Ara h 6. This illustrates that Ara h 6 mono-sensitisation has been neglected in literature. We present a case series of five children with sensitisation to peanut component Ara h 6. Only one of these five patients showed Ara h 8 cosensitivity. Three out of the five children had a positive double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC), with moderate to strong reactions.

Conclusion: A mono-sensitisation to peanut component Ara h 6 is uncommon but can cause severe allergic reactions. Therefore, the determination of sIgE to Ara h 6 is warranted in patients with a suspected peanut allergy, especially in the absence of sensitisation to Ara h 1, 2, 3 and 9.

What is known: • Peanut allergy is common and can cause severe allergic reactions. • The diagnostics of peanut allergy has recently improved with the use of component resolved diagnosis What is new: • A mono-sensitisation to peanut component Ara h 6 is uncommon, but can cause severe allergic reactions • Determination of sIgE to Ara h 6 is warranted in patients with a suspected peanut allergy, especially in the absence of sensitisation to Ara h 1, 2, 3 and 9.

Keywords: Ara h 6; Components; Double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC); Peanut allergy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • 2S Albumins, Plant / immunology*
  • Adolescent
  • Antigens, Plant / immunology*
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • Male
  • Peanut Hypersensitivity / diagnosis*
  • Peanut Hypersensitivity / immunology

Substances

  • 2S Albumins, Plant
  • Antigens, Plant
  • Ara h 6 allergen, Arachis hypogaea
  • Immunoglobulin E