Kiwi Allergens and Cross-Reactivity

The report assesses kiwi fruit allergy and associated cross-reactivity to substances such as latex and pollen. It discusses the symptoms, allergens, and cross-reactivity of kiwi, pollen, and latex allergies. The report concludes that individuals with such cross-reactivity must consider extensive discussions with their concerned allergist for sustainable life outcomes.

Running head: KIWI ALLERGENS AND CROSS-REACTIVITY
KIWI ALLERGENS AND CROSS-REACTIVITY
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1CROSS-REACTIVITY BETWEEN KIWI FRUIT AND LATEX/POLLEN ALLERGENS
Executive Summary
The popularity of Kiwi fruit consumption has witness a steady rise ever since its flourishing in
New Zealand during the 1930s. However, since the last few decades, the consumption of this
fruit has been associated with considerable allergenic reactions, which has been reported in very
limited research. The allergy associated with kiwi fruit consumption has also been linked to
incidences of cross-reactivity to additional allergies such as those related with birch pollen and
natural tree rubber of latex. Hence, current allergy treatments must focus on the presence of
multiple allergenic reactions in the afflicted individual.

2CROSS-REACTIVITY BETWEEN KIWI FRUIT AND LATEX/POLLEN ALLERGENS
Table of Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................2
Discussion............................................................................................................................2
Kiwi Allergy....................................................................................................................2
Pollen Allergy..................................................................................................................2
Latex Allergy...................................................................................................................3
Cross Reactivity...............................................................................................................3
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................4
References............................................................................................................................5

3CROSS-REACTIVITY BETWEEN KIWI FRUIT AND LATEX/POLLEN ALLERGENS
Introduction
Consumption of kiwi fruit, otherwise has been associated with allergies since the past
three decades, ever since its popularity arose during the late 1920s in New Zealand (Le & Knulst,
2015). The following report aims to assess kiwi fruit allergy and associated cross-reactivity to
substances such as latex and pollen.
Discussion
Kiwi Allergy
As stated by Ozturk and Ozyigit (2015), kiwi allergies primarily occur through fruit
consumption or skin contact, as in the case of eczema breakouts. Symptoms can range from
itchiness, tingling or nettle rash occurrence to serious asthmatic breathing difficulties, face or
mouth swelling, chest tightening and vomiting or nausea accompanied with abdominal spasms.
Anaphylactic shocks may lead to severe hypertension and lack of consciousness. Research by
Uberti et al., (2015), suggest the presence of over twelve allergens with the ability to bind with
the allergenic response-associated Immunoglobulin E (IgE), with a 12 to 64 kDa molecular
weight range, of which a 30 kDa compound presented with the strongest allergenic activity.
Pollen Allergy
Allergies associated with pollen result in seasonal allergic rhinitis or ‘hay fever’. Primary
symptoms include redness and watering of eyes, congested nose, sneezing, excessive mucus
production and itchiness and swelling in the nasal, oral and ear areas (Lavaud et al., 2014).
According to Özdemir and Özgüçlü (2018), cross reactivity between kiwi and pollen allergies
result in ‘pollen food syndrome’. Individuals suffering from such a type of allergy primary

4CROSS-REACTIVITY BETWEEN KIWI FRUIT AND LATEX/POLLEN ALLERGENS
become inflicted with tree pollen allergy, prior to kiwi fruit allergy acquisition. This is due to the
structural similarity occurring between kiwi fruit and tree pollen allergenic proteins. Symptoms
of this allergy type are associated with mild redness, itchiness, tingling and swelling sensations
in the oral and olfactory regions upon fruit consumptions, with more severe anaphylactic
symptoms in children.
Latex Allergy
Allergenic reactions to latex or tree rubber, are widely prevalent in rubber industry
workers and those frequently using rubber gloves. Allergenic reactions include breathing
difficulties, chest tightening, wheezing and associated asthmatic symptoms (Blaabjerg et al.,
(2015). As stated by Chełmińska et al., (2016), the allergy also presents considerable cross-
reactivity, affecting individuals who are already inflicted with food or pollen allergies.
Cross Reactivity
Victims of kiwi fruit allergy may also present cross-reactivity to associated latex or
pollen allergies as mentioned above, owing to structural similarity of proteins present in both.
Limited research has focused upon this cross reactivity with possible over emphasis on mild
symptoms associated with kiwi fruit consumption, resulting in oral allergic reactions (Popescu,
2015). According to Igetei et al., (2018), individuals suffering from birch pollen allergies have
responded positively to kiwi fruit allergies, associated with the presence of similar IgE binding
proteins ranging in molecular densities of 10 to 12 kDa and 20 to 25 kDa. A s researched by
Worm et al., (2014), individuals with latex allergies, have reported hypersensitivities towards
fruits such as chestnut, kiwi, papaya, banana and avocado, through procedures such as skin prick
methods, radioallergosorbent, (RAST) and ImmunoCAP testing.

5CROSS-REACTIVITY BETWEEN KIWI FRUIT AND LATEX/POLLEN ALLERGENS
Conclusion
Despite the lack of sufficient credible evidence, the prevalence of kiwi fruit allergies
along with its probable cross reactivity towards latex and birch pollen allergies, pose to be a
major public health problem. Individuals with such cross reactivity, must consider extensive
discussions with their concerned allergist for sustainable life outcomes.

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References
Blaabjerg, M. S., Andersen, K. E., Bindslev‐Jensen, C., & Mortz, C. G. (2015). Decrease in the
rate of sensitization and clinical allergy to natural rubber latex. Contact Dermatitis, 73(1),
21-28.
Chełmińska, M., Specjalski, K., Różyło, A., Kołakowska, A., & Jassem, E. (2016).
Differentiating of cross-reactions in patients with latex allergy with the use of ISAC
test. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postȩpy Dermatologii i
Alergologii, 33(2), 120.
Igetei, J. E., El-Faham, M., Liddell, S., Schramm, G., & Doenhoff, M. J. (2018). Antigenic cross-
reactivity between Schistosoma mansoni and pollen allergens from the birch tree (Betula
verrucosa) and Timothy grass (Phleum pratense): involvement of shared glycan epitopes
and implications for the hygiene hypothesis. International journal for
parasitology, 48(5), 345-357.
Lavaud, F., Fore, M., Fontaine, J. F., & Pérotin, J. M. (2014). Birch pollen allergy. Revue des
maladies respiratoires, 31(2), 150-161.
Le, T. M., & Knulst, A. C. (2015). Kiwifruit allergy across Europe. Revue Française
d'Allergologie, 55(7), 470-473.
Özdemir, S. K., & Özgüçlü, S. (2018). Pollen food allergy syndrome in Turkey: Clinical
characteristics and pollen sensitization. Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol, 36, 77-81.

7CROSS-REACTIVITY BETWEEN KIWI FRUIT AND LATEX/POLLEN ALLERGENS
Ozturk, A. B., & Ozyigit, L. P. (2015). Familial kiwi fruit allergy: A case report. Allergology
International, 64(2), 190-191.
Popescu, F. D. (2015). Cross-reactivity between aeroallergens and food allergens. World journal
of methodology, 5(2), 31.
Uberti, F., Peñas, E., Manzoni, Y., di Lorenzo, C., Ballabio, C., Fiocchi, A., ... & Restani, P.
(2015). Molecular characterization of allergens in raw and processed kiwifruit. Pediatric
Allergy and Immunology, 26(2), 139-144.
Worm, M., Jappe, U., Kleine-Tebbe, J., Schäfer, C., Reese, I., Saloga, J., ... & Dölle, S. (2014).
Food allergies resulting from immunological cross-reactivity with inhalant
allergens. Allergo journal international, 23(1), 1-16.