Lipid transfer protein allergy: A review of current controversies

Sensitization to lipid transfer protein (LTP), the most frequent cause of food allergy in southern Europe, still shows several controversial, but also intriguing, aspects. Some of these include the degree of cross-reactivity between LTPs from botanically distant sources, the definition of risk factors, the role of some cofactors, clinical outcomes, geographical differences and the identification of the primary sensitizer in different areas. This review article tries to analyse and comment on these aspects point by point suggesting some explanatory hypotheses with the final scope to stimulate critical thoughts and elicit the scientific discussion about this issue in the readership.

Automated summary

This review article examines the various controversial and intriguing aspects of lipid transfer protein (LTP) sensitization, the most common cause of food allergies in southern Europe. Topics include cross-reactivity between LTPs from different plant sources, risk factors, clinical outcomes, geographical variations, and primary sensitizer identification. The article aims to stimulate critical thinking and scientific discussion among readers by presenting explanatory hypotheses on these issues.