Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41121597›Full record

ArticleAllergy2026

Thaumatin-Like Proteins in Molecular Allergy Diagnostics: Uncommon, Co-Sensitized, and Clinically Inconspicuous? Insights From an Italian Cohort.

Enrico Scala, Damiano Abeni, Mauro Giani, Valeria Villella, Elisabetta Caprini, Ignazio Brusca, Lorenzo Cecchi, Danilo Villalta, Riccardo Asero

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Allergy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Enrico ScalaFondazione Luigi Maria Monti, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9391-9168
Damiano AbeniFondazione Luigi Maria Monti, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Mauro GianiFondazione Luigi Maria Monti, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Valeria VillellaFondazione Luigi Maria Monti, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Elisabetta CapriniFondazione Luigi Maria Monti, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Ignazio BruscaU.O.C of Clinical Pathology, Buccheri La Ferla Hospital, Palermo, Italy.
Lorenzo CecchiAllergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Florence, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0658-2449
Danilo VillaltaS.C. di Immunologia e Allergologia di Laboratorio, PO S. Maria Degli Angeli, Pordenone, Italy.
Riccardo AseroAmbulatorio di Allergologia, Clinica San Carlo, Milan, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8277-1700

Funding

Ministero della Salute
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) are conserved plant pathogenesis-related proteins with IgE-binding capacity, but their clinical relevance remains poorly defined. Unlike well-characterized panallergens, TLPs are underrepresented in diagnostic panels, and their role in food allergy is largely unexplored.

objectiveTo assess the prevalence, quantitative IgE levels, co-sensitization patterns, and clinical significance of IgE reactivity to two TLPs-Act d 2 (kiwi) and Mal d 2 (apple)-in a large Italian allergic cohort.

methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of 7176 consecutive patients referred to Italian tertiary allergy centers. Specific IgE to TLPs and other plant allergens was measured using ALEX

resultsTLP sensitization occurred in 137 patients (1.9%), predominantly to Act d 2. Isolated TLP sensitization was rare (n = 20) and associated with low IgE levels (mean 0.61 ± 0.98 kUA/L) and minimal symptoms. Co-sensitized patients (n = 117) had higher and more variable IgE levels (mean 1.41 ± 3.49 kUA/L) and experienced more clinically relevant reactions, including oral allergy syndrome and food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis. ROC analyses indicated limited discriminatory power of Act d 2 IgE for predicting reaction severity (AUC 0.51-0.61). Multivariate adjustment confirmed no independent association between TLP-specific IgE and moderate or severe symptoms.

conclusionsTLP sensitization is uncommon and generally clinically silent when isolated. Co-sensitization with other panallergens appears to drive allergic manifestations. Quantitative TLP-specific IgE alone provides limited predictive value, emphasizing the importance of integrating molecular diagnostics with clinical phenotyping in precision allergy management.

Indexed as

AllergensAntigens, PlantFood HypersensitivityHypersensitivityPlant ProteinsAdolescentAdultAgedCross ReactionsCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansImmunoglobulin EItalyMaleMiddle AgedAllergensAntigens, PlantImmunoglobulin EPlant Proteinsthaumatin protein, plantallergy diagnosisepidemiologyfood allergyIgE

Identifiers

PMID41121597
PMCPMC13040644

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.