Scientific publications
The role of lipid transfer proteins in the almond tree and almond fruit as contact and airborne allergens
S Garrido-Fernández (1), BE Garcia (2), ML Sanz (3), S Ariz (3), AI Tabar (2)
(1) Allergology Unit, Hospital Reina Sofía, Tudela, Navarra, Spain
(2) Allergology Service, Hospital Virgen del Camino, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
(3) Allergology and Clinical Immunology Department, Clínica Universitaria, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
The almond, which is a member of the Rosaceae family, is the fruit of the almond tree (Prunus dulcis).
It has a hard endocarp that contains a seed covered by a rough, brownish skin. Unlike other prunoid fruits, which have an edible mesocarp and an outer skin known as the epicarp, the almond fruit has an epicarp and a mesocarp that are diffi cult to separate and have no nutritional or commercial value.
We report the case of a 17-year-old atopic patient referred for consultation due to eyelid angioedema and rash in exposed areas related to exposure to or contact with almond tree leaves and almond fruit epicarp/mesocarp on the family farm.
CITATION J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2009;19(1):61-3