ORAL ALLERGY SYNDROME (OAS) IN POLLINOSIS PATIENTS AFTER EATING PISTACHIO NUTS - 2 CASES WITH 2 DIFFERENT PATTERNS OF ONSET

We describe two uncommon cases of oral allergy syndrome (GAS) after ea ting pistachio nuts (p.n.) in subjects (a 54-year-old man and a 3-year -old girl) with exclusive skin prick test (SPT) positivity to Parietar ia (P.) and pistachio nut (p.n.) allergens. Serologic P.- and p.n.-spe cific IgE determinations were also carried out. A double-blind, placeb o-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) was performed, for ethical reason s, only in the adult patient, but we observed a positive intraoral rea ction only after slight scratching of the oral mucosa. Since this pati ent had put three whole p.n. with their shells into his mouth, breakin g them with his teeth, before the onset of symptoms, we suggest that s light injury of the oral mucosa may enhance the local response. Prelim inary results with SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting demonstrate the occurre nce of a slight degree of crossreactivity between these allergens, but further studies are necessary to obtain a definite conclusion.