Dictionary of Allergies .. Broccoli [(L) Brassica oleracea var italica]

Broccoli [(L) Brassica oleracea var italica] . Mediterranean vegetable of the Crucifera (Brassicaceae) family) which are eaten fresh, frozen or canned. Food IgE-mediated allergy to members of the Brassicaceae family has been increasingly reported . Hermanides HK, et al (2006) studied the incidence and the impact of broccoli and cauliflower pollen allergy in employees involved in classical plant breeding .

For this reason they evaluated fifty-four employees of five companies working with cauliflower (Brassica oleracea botrytis) and broccoli (B. oleracea italica/cymosa) pollen.  Allergy to cauliflower and broccoli pollen was evaluated by questionnaire and determination of sensitization by radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and skin-prick tests (SPT). SPT and RAST were performed with a panel of commercial and homemade extracts from cauliflower and broccoli pollen. Work-related symptoms such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma and urticaria caused by B. oleracea pollen were reported by 44% of the participants (24/54), of whom all but one had positive SPT for cauliflower- and/or broccoli-pollen/flower extracts and 58% (14/24) had positive RAST results. Symptoms had developed within the first 2 years in 33% of the patients. Six patients had to stop or change work. Brassica oleracea pollen is a new source of occupational allergen with strong allergenic potential leading to symptoms in almost half of the exposed employees.

Crossreactivity is expected with other members of the family (Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. Rf260 is the symbol of Broccoli in RAST or CAP immunostystem. (See Cabbage).

Reerences

Hermanides HK, Laheÿ-de Boer AM, Zuidmeer L, Guikers C, van Ree R, Knulst AC. Brassica oleracea pollen, a new source of occupational allergens. Allergy. 2006 Apr;61(4):498-502