Kiwifruit Allergy—Molecular Basis, Diagnostics and Treatment

Kiwifruit allergy was first described over 40 years ago and is becoming increasingly common worldwide. This is most likely related to the fact that kiwifruit production and consumption increased by almost two orders of magnitude during the last 50 years. Currently, there are thirteen officially regi...

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Main Authors: Elaine M. Wright, Andrea O’Malley, Kriti Khatri, Rebekka Pittsley, Lesa R. Offermann, Emily Covert, Tiffany Ruan, Maria Antonietta Ciardiello, Krzysztof Kowal, Maksymilian Chruszcz
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/13/7182
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author Elaine M. Wright
Andrea O’Malley
Kriti Khatri
Rebekka Pittsley
Lesa R. Offermann
Emily Covert
Tiffany Ruan
Maria Antonietta Ciardiello
Krzysztof Kowal
Maksymilian Chruszcz
author_facet Elaine M. Wright
Andrea O’Malley
Kriti Khatri
Rebekka Pittsley
Lesa R. Offermann
Emily Covert
Tiffany Ruan
Maria Antonietta Ciardiello
Krzysztof Kowal
Maksymilian Chruszcz
author_sort Elaine M. Wright
collection DOAJ
description Kiwifruit allergy was first described over 40 years ago and is becoming increasingly common worldwide. This is most likely related to the fact that kiwifruit production and consumption increased by almost two orders of magnitude during the last 50 years. Currently, there are thirteen officially registered allergens belonging to the species <i>Actinidia deliciosa</i> (green kiwifruit), and three officially registered allergens belonging to the species <i>Actinidia chinensis</i> (golden kiwifruit). The molecular properties of the kiwifruit allergens are summarized, and their features are discussed, considering the protein families to which they belong. At present, kiwifruit allergens are found to belong to 13 protein families. Allergic reactions caused by these molecules can be local, for example, related to the oral cavity, but in some cases systemic responses, such as anaphylaxis, are also observed. Generally, kiwifruit allergy should not be considered as a homogenous disorder, as it was noted that there are distinct groups of patients with different sensitization profiles. Therefore, the diagnostic process may be challenging, as in many cases other food allergies must be considered. Frequently cross-reactivity between kiwifruit allergens and their homologs originating from other organisms has a significant impact on the wellbeing of the affected individuals.
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spelling doaj-art-d2f21bde8518420abfa1bc167fb2e6e72025-08-20T03:50:21ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-06-011513718210.3390/app15137182Kiwifruit Allergy—Molecular Basis, Diagnostics and TreatmentElaine M. Wright0Andrea O’Malley1Kriti Khatri2Rebekka Pittsley3Lesa R. Offermann4Emily Covert5Tiffany Ruan6Maria Antonietta Ciardiello7Krzysztof Kowal8Maksymilian Chruszcz9Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USADepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USADepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USADepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USADepartment of Chemistry, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035, USADepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY 12208, USADepartment of Family Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USAInstitute of Biosciences and BioResources (I.B.B.R.), National Research Council of Italy (C.N.R.), 80131 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Allergology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, PolandDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USAKiwifruit allergy was first described over 40 years ago and is becoming increasingly common worldwide. This is most likely related to the fact that kiwifruit production and consumption increased by almost two orders of magnitude during the last 50 years. Currently, there are thirteen officially registered allergens belonging to the species <i>Actinidia deliciosa</i> (green kiwifruit), and three officially registered allergens belonging to the species <i>Actinidia chinensis</i> (golden kiwifruit). The molecular properties of the kiwifruit allergens are summarized, and their features are discussed, considering the protein families to which they belong. At present, kiwifruit allergens are found to belong to 13 protein families. Allergic reactions caused by these molecules can be local, for example, related to the oral cavity, but in some cases systemic responses, such as anaphylaxis, are also observed. Generally, kiwifruit allergy should not be considered as a homogenous disorder, as it was noted that there are distinct groups of patients with different sensitization profiles. Therefore, the diagnostic process may be challenging, as in many cases other food allergies must be considered. Frequently cross-reactivity between kiwifruit allergens and their homologs originating from other organisms has a significant impact on the wellbeing of the affected individuals.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/13/7182kiwifruitallergenkiwifruit allergyfood allergydiagnosticsmolecular allergology
spellingShingle Elaine M. Wright
Andrea O’Malley
Kriti Khatri
Rebekka Pittsley
Lesa R. Offermann
Emily Covert
Tiffany Ruan
Maria Antonietta Ciardiello
Krzysztof Kowal
Maksymilian Chruszcz
Kiwifruit Allergy—Molecular Basis, Diagnostics and Treatment
Applied Sciences
kiwifruit
allergen
kiwifruit allergy
food allergy
diagnostics
molecular allergology
title Kiwifruit Allergy—Molecular Basis, Diagnostics and Treatment
title_full Kiwifruit Allergy—Molecular Basis, Diagnostics and Treatment
title_fullStr Kiwifruit Allergy—Molecular Basis, Diagnostics and Treatment
title_full_unstemmed Kiwifruit Allergy—Molecular Basis, Diagnostics and Treatment
title_short Kiwifruit Allergy—Molecular Basis, Diagnostics and Treatment
title_sort kiwifruit allergy molecular basis diagnostics and treatment
topic kiwifruit
allergen
kiwifruit allergy
food allergy
diagnostics
molecular allergology
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/13/7182
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AT rebekkapittsley kiwifruitallergymolecularbasisdiagnosticsandtreatment
AT lesaroffermann kiwifruitallergymolecularbasisdiagnosticsandtreatment
AT emilycovert kiwifruitallergymolecularbasisdiagnosticsandtreatment
AT tiffanyruan kiwifruitallergymolecularbasisdiagnosticsandtreatment
AT mariaantoniettaciardiello kiwifruitallergymolecularbasisdiagnosticsandtreatment
AT krzysztofkowal kiwifruitallergymolecularbasisdiagnosticsandtreatment
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