f237 Apricot

Allergens within Food of Plant Origin

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  • Latin name: Prunus armeniaca
  • Family: Rosaceae
  • Source material: Fresh fruit
Food
In general, the larger the number of atopic problems in an individual, the greater the chances of food being involved. 

Allergen Exposure

Apricot is an orange-colored stonefruit of a temperate zone tree ranking 5th in worldwide deciduous fruit production. The tree resembles the related peach and plum trees.

Potential Cross-Reactivity

Apricot allergens show relationships to allergens from other fruits of the subfamily Prunoideae. This is particularly obvious for the low molecular weight allergen shown to be present in the fruits, but not in allergenic pollens (1-2). Cross-reactivity with latex has been suspected but not confirmed (3). 

Clinical Experience

Apricot may cause oral allergy syndrome. In a group of 16 patients with positive open food challenge to apricot, 88% had IgE antibodies against this protein (1-2).
 
Review
Apricot is an orange-colored stonefruit of a temperate zone tree ranking 5th in worldwide deciduous fruit production. The tree resembles the related peach and plum trees. Apricot allergens show relationships to allergens from other fruits of the subfamily Prunoideae. This is particularly obvious for the low molecular weight allergen shown to be present in the fruits but not in allergenic pollens (1-2). In a group of 16 patients with positive open food challenge to apricot, 88% had IgE antibodies against this protein. Cross-reactivity with latex has been suspected but not confirmed (3).

References:

    1. Pastorello EA, Ortolani C, Farioli L, et al. Allergenic cross-reactivity among peach, apricot, plum, and cherry in patients with oral allergy syndrome: an in vivo and in vitro study. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1994;94(4):699-707.
       
    2. Pastorello EA, Incorvaia C, Pravettoni V, et al. New allergens in fruits and vegetables. Allergy 1998;53(46 Suppl):48-51.
       
    3. Novembre E, Bernardini R, Brizzi I, et al. The prevalence of latex allergy in children seen in a university hospital allergy clinic [see comments]. Allergy 1997;52(1):101-5.

2000