The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) has a wide geographical distribution (Middle East, Mediterranean, central Africa, western Asia, Australia, and North America). Pho d 2, the major allergen of date palm pollen was recently identified as a profilin, yet little is known about the nature of the other pollen allergens from this tree.
The objective of this study was to characterize clinically significant allergens other than profilins from P dactylifera pollen using immunoproteomics. In order to reveal the proteins causing the allergy, we used serum from a patient monosensitized to date palm pollen extract who experienced asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis during the palm tree pollen season.
The results revealed 2 novel immunoglobulin E–binding proteins not related to the cross-reactive allergen profilin. Individualized allergens of P dactylifera that cause specific date palm pollen sensitization must be defined to determine the real prevalence of sensitization to this species.

Key words: Phoenix dactylifera allergens. Palm tree. Allergy. ß-Galactosidase precursor. α-1,4-Glucan protein synthase.