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Background:
Very high levels of
exposure to olive
pollen in the south
of Spain lead to
differential
allergen
sensitization profi
les. Therefore, new
approaches to
allergen
standardization,
diagnosis, and
vaccination are
necessary.
Methods:
Quantifi cation of
minor allergens in
extracts, component-resolved
patient diagnosis,
and IgG4 individual
allergen responses
were used to
evaluate new
strategies in the
management of olive
pollen allergy.
Results:
Allergen variability
observed between
different olive
cultivars can be
used to identify
suitable allergen
sources that can be
combined to yield
consistent allergen
extracts for
diagnosis and
immunotherapy.
Component-resolved
diagnosis can
provide a better
patient
classification. IgG4
levels to major
allergens increase
signifi cantly,
whereas specifi c
IgG4 to minor
allergens does not
seem to increase, at
least during the
early phases of
immunotherapy.
Conclusion:
Patients exposed to
extreme olive pollen
levels display a
different severity
of allergy from
those exposed to
normal levels, which
makes it necessary
to follow a
different clinical
approach. The use of
component resolved
diagnosis, better
standardized
allergen extracts,
and new efficacy
monitoring
techniques will lead
to a signifi cant
improvement in the
management of olive
allergy disease.
Key words:
Olive pollen. Minor
allergen.
Immunotherapy.
Molecular profi le.
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