Clinical reactivity of celery cultivars in allergic patients: Role of Api g 1

BackgroundCelery (Apium graveolens L.) is a vegetable consumed world-wide. Celery stalks and celeriac roots are often ingredients in convenient food products like spice blends and soups. ObjectiveIn this study, we examined the allergenicity of distinct celeriac cultivars. MethodsSixteen celery-allergic patients were identified using a double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge. Ten different celeriac cultivars were used for skin prick testing in the patients. Two cultivars were further applied for oral food challenges; their protein composition was analysed by immunoblotting, and contents of major allergen Api g 1 were quantified. ResultsFrom the 10 investigated celeriac cultivars, two cultivars elicited significantly different skin reactivity (Anita: 5.0 [2.0-12.0] mm vs Prinz: 7.0 [3.0-9.5] mm; P=.047). Moreover, Anita induced fewer symptoms after a controlled oral-celeriac challenge in 14 patient (P<.001). The protein profiles on 2DE protein gels showed distinct protein patterns and higher protein amounts of Api g 1 in Prinz than in Anita. Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceTaken together, the data from this study suggest that cultivar Anita is better tolerated in celery-allergic patients than Prinz. Differences in the protein expression profile between the cultivars, particularly the different content of Api g 1, could cause the different allergenicity.