Type:
Whole Allergen
Whole Allergen
f291 Cauliflower
f291 Cauliflower Scientific Information
Display Name:
Cauliflower
Family:
Brassicaceae
Latin Name:
Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Other Names:
Cauliflower, Broccoflower, Calabrese, Romanesco
Clinical Relevance
IgE-mediated reactions
Anecdotal evidence suggests that Cauliflower can uncommonly induce symptoms of food allergy in sensitised individuals; however, few studies have been reported to date (1).
A 70-year-old man suffered acute oropharyngeal itching, facial and hand swelling, dyspnoea and severe bronchospasm within a few minutes after eating vegetable paella containing Cauliflower. A strong SPT response was obtained with Cauliflower and Peach LTPs. IgE antibody determinations were positive for Cabbage (0.79 kUA/l), Cauliflower (0.49 kUA/l) and Apple (1.54 kUA/l), and negative for Mustard. Laboratory analysis of the patient’s serum with Cauliflower extract showed several IgE-binding components. The authors concluded that the patient experienced an IgE-mediated anaphylactic reaction to Cauliflower (1).
An Indian study evaluated the effect of a specific elimination diet on symptoms of 24 children aged 3 to 15 years with documented deterioration in control of their perennial asthma. IgE antibody analysis for a range of food items found that 19 children (79%) had IgE antibodies directed at Cauliflower (2).
Other reactions
Maternal intake of Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Cow’s milk, Onion, and chocolate were significantly related to colic symptoms in exclusively breast-fed infants (3).
Molecular Aspects
No allergens from this plant have yet been characterised.
In the evaluation of a 70 year-old man who had experienced an IgE-mediated anaphylactic reaction to Cauliflower, immunoblotting with Cauliflower extract showed several IgE-binding components with molecular masses ranging between 30 and 45 kDa (1).
A lipid transfer protein (LTP) has been isolated from a close family member, Broccoli, suggesting that Cauliflower may contain an LTP. This has not been demonstrated to date (4, 5).
Cross-reactivity
An extensive cross-reactivity among the different individual species of the genus could be expected, as well as to a certain degree among members of the family Brassicaceae, such as Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and Cabbage (6). This has been supported by a study that reported cross-reactivity among Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Mustard, Rape and Turnip (7). Ortolani et al. disagree and state that cross-reactivity among Brassicaceae species is rare (8).
Cross-reactivity between Cauliflower and other plants containing LTP is possible.
Compiled By
Last reviewed:April 2022
References
- Hernández E, Quirce S, Villalba M, Cuesta J, Sastre J. Anaphylaxis caused by cauliflower. Journal of investigational allergology & clinical immunology. 2005;15(2):158-9.
- Agarkhedkar SR, Bapat HB, Bapat BN. Avoidance of food allergens in childhood asthma. Indian pediatrics. 2005;42(4):362-6.
- Lust KD, Brown JE, Thomas W. Maternal intake of cruciferous vegetables and other foods and colic symptoms in exclusively breast-fed infants. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 1996;96(1):46-8.
- Asero R, Mistrello G, Roncarolo D, Amato S, van Ree R. A case of allergy to beer showing cross-reactivity between lipid transfer proteins. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2001;87(1):65-7.
- Asero R, Mistrello G, Roncarolo D, de Vries SC, Gautier MF, Ciurana CL, et al. Lipid transfer protein: a pan-allergen in plant-derived foods that is highly resistant to pepsin digestion. International archives of allergy and immunology. 2000;122(1):20-32.
- L Y. Botanical relations and immunological cross-reactions in pollen allergy. 2nd ed Pharmacia Diagnostics AB Uppsala Sweden. 1982.
- Blaiss MS, McCants ML, Lehrer SB. Anaphylaxis to cabbage: detection of allergens. Annals of allergy. 1987;58(4):248-50.
- Ortolani C, Ispano M, Ansaloni R, Rotondo F, Incorvaia C, Pastorello EA. Diagnostic problems due to cross-reactions in food allergy. Allergy. 1998;53(46 Suppl):58-61.
