Amaranth pollen allergy J30.-, H10.1, K52.1, L50.0

Amaranth, Amaranthus reflexus is an annual, rarely perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the foxtail family (Amaranthaceae). It comprises about 2500 species native to the American continent, now found on all continents.

Amaranthus species are particularly common in the warmer dry zones of the earth. The greatest species diversity is found in America; in North America alone there are about 38 species. Amaranthus species introduced to Europe from America, now spread mainly in southern Europe, but also in central and northern Europe. Especially in maize crops they spread as weeds.

The incidence of pollinosis caused by Amaranthus retroflexus pollen is characterized by a high regionality. While it plays only a minor role in Northern Europe, it can be found in Iran, for example, well documented in various countries. Studies show high sensitisation rates (68%) for respiratory allergies. Amaranth pollen sensitization also plays an important role in the United States of America and in Thailand in southern Europe.

Like all tree and grass pollen, all herb pollen contain cross-reactive panallergens from the protein groups of profilins and polcalcins. The major allergen Ama r 2, which is derived from pollen of Amaranthus retroflexus, belongs to the protein family of profilins and leads to cross-reactivity with other species of the Amaranthaceae/Chenopodiaceae family. Ama r 1 belongs to the protein family of Ole e 1- like proteins.

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