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Elder

Elder

Elder Scientific Information
Type: Whole Allergen
Display Name: Elder
Allergen code: t205
Family: Caprifolicaeae
Latin Name: Sambucus nigra
Other Names: Elder, common elder, elderberry

Clinical Relevance

IgE mediated reactions

Anecdotal evidence suggests that asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis are possible following exposure to pollen from this tree; however, few specific studies have been reported to date. Patients suffering from allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and dyspnoea during summer may exhibit these symptoms after contact with flowers or dietary products of the elder tree. Nine patients with a history of summer hay fever were tested in a routine setting for sensitisation to elder. 0.6% of 3668 randomly tested patients showed positive skin-prick test and/or IgE antibodies to elder.

A retrospective, open and uncontrolled Croatian study attempting to identify the most common inhalant allergens associated with 1 097 patients with atopic dermatitis – and/or allergic rhinitis, and/or bronchial asthma – using skin-prick tests reported that 3 with asthma tested positive, as did 34 of those with atopic dermatitis and 12 of those with allergic rhinitis.

References
  1. Förster-Waldl E, Marchetti M, Schöll I, Focke M, Radauer C, Kinaciyan T, et al. Type I allergy to elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is elicited by a 33.2 kDa allergen with significant homology to ribosomal inactivating proteins. Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2003;33(12):1703-10.
  2. Stajminger G, Marinović-Kulisić S, Lipozencić J, Pastar Z. Most common inhalant allergens in atopic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis/allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis/bronchial asthma patients: a five-year retrospective study. Acta dermatovenerologica Croatica : ADC. 2007;15(3):130-4.
  3. Van Damme EJ, Charels D, Menu-Bouaouiche L, Proost P, Barre A, Rougé P, et al. Biochemical, molecular and structural analysis of multiple thaumatin-like proteins from the elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra L.). Planta. 2002;214(6):853-62.
  4. L. Y. Botanical relations and immunological cross-reactions in pollen allergy. 2nd ed. Pharmacia Diagnostics AB. Uppsala. Sweden. Pharmacia Diagnostics AB Uppsala Sweden. 1982