Association of tree nut and coconut sensitizations.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2016
Identifier
DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2016.07.023
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Coconut (Cocos nucifera), despite being a drupe, was added to the US Food and Drug Administration list of tree nuts in 2006, causing potential confusion regarding the prevalence of coconut allergy among tree nut allergic patients.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether sensitization to tree nuts is associated with increased odds of coconut sensitization.
METHODS: A single-center retrospective analysis of serum specific IgE levels to coconut, tree nuts (almond, Brazil nut, cashew, chestnut, hazelnut, macadamia, pecan, pistachio, and walnut), and controls (milk and peanut) was performed using deidentified data from January 2000 to August 2012. Spearman correlation (ρ) between coconut and each tree nut was determined, followed by hierarchical clustering. Sensitization was defined as a nut specific IgE level of 0.35 kU/L or higher. Unadjusted and adjusted associations between coconut and tree nut sensitization were tested by logistic regression.
RESULTS: Of 298 coconut IgE values, 90 (30%) were considered positive results, with a mean (SD) of 1.70 (8.28) kU/L. Macadamia had the strongest correlation (ρ = 0.77), whereas most other tree nuts had significant (P < .05) but low correlation (ρ < 0.5) with coconut. The adjusted odds ratio between coconut and macadamia was 7.39 (95% confidence interval, 2.60-21.02; P < .001) and 5.32 (95% confidence interval, 2.18-12.95; P < .001) between coconut and almond, with other nuts not being statistically significant.
CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that although sensitization to most tree nuts appears to correlate with coconut, this is largely explained by sensitization to almond and macadamia. This finding has not previously been reported in the literature. Further study correlating these results with clinical symptoms is planned.
Journal Title
Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
Volume
117
Issue
4
First Page
412
Last Page
416
MeSH Keywords
Adolescent; Adult; Allergens; Child; Child, Preschool; Cocos; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin E; Macadamia; Male; Nut Hypersensitivity; Nuts; Odds Ratio; Prunus dulcis; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult
Recommended Citation
Polk BI, Dinakarpandian D, Nanda M, Barnes C, Dinakar C. Association of tree nut and coconut sensitizations. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016;117(4):412-416. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2016.07.023
COinS
