Celery allergyL27.-, L23.6

Allergy to celery, a vegetable belonging to the Apiaceae family. The clinical manifestation of celery allergy ranges from contact urticaria of the oral mucosa(oral allergy syndrome) to severe anaphylactic reactions (urticaria, angioedema, asthma). In a larger study, celery allergy was found at the top of food allergies (Wüthrich B et al. 1995).

Identified and accepted allergens of Apium graveolens (Celery)

• Api g 1 Pathogenesis-related protein
• Api g 2 Lipid transfer protein
• Api g 3 Chlorophyll a/b binding protein
• Api g 4 Profilin
• Api g 5 FAD-containing oxidase
• Api g 6 Lipid transfer protein (major allergen)

Celery can cause severe allergic symptoms even in small amounts (0.1 g). A substantial part of the celery allergens is heat stable. In celeriac, the Bet v1-homologous protein Api g 1, Api g 4, which belongs to the profiling group, and Api g5 a flavoprotein were detected. The allergy is realized after a previous primary sensitization against birch and mugwort pollen. Api g 2 was isolated from stalks, a thermo- and acid-stable lipid transfer protein whose allergological significance is minimal.

Cross-reactions occur with mugwort and birch pollen (see also tree pollen), with aniseed, basil, dill, fennel, carrots, cumin, coriander, lovage, oregano (see also celery-carrot-mugwort spice syndrome), thyme and with latex products (see also latex fruit syndrome).

Clinic, history, skin test (prick or scratch test with fresh material).

In the case of summaries, individual information is often omitted (generally only information as "spices").

1. Gadermaier G et al (2011) Sensitization prevalence, antibody cross-reactivity and immunogenic peptide profile of Api g 2, the non-specific lipid transfer protein 1 of celery. PLoS One 6: e24150.
2. Gepp B et al (2014) Chimeras of Bet v 1 and Api g 1 reveal heterogeneous IgE responses in patients with birch pollen allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 134:188-194.
3. Guhsl EE et al (2014) IgE, IgG4 and IgA specific to Bet v 1-related food allergens do not predict oral allergy syndrome. Allergy 70:59-66.
4. Smole U et al (2010) Bet v 1 and its homologous food allergen Api g 1 stimulate dendritic cells from birch pollen-allergic individuals to induce different Th-cell polarization. Allergy 65:1388-1396.
5. Wüthrich B et al (1995) Food allergies. Internist 36: 1052-1062
6. Vejvar E et al (2013) Allergenic relevance of nonspecific lipid transfer proteins 2:Identification and characterization of Api g 6 from celery tuber as representative of a novel IgE-binding protein family. Mol Nutr Food Res 57:2061-2070.