Type:
Whole Allergen
Allergen Encyclopedia
Table of Contents
Whole Allergen
t41 White hickory
t41 White hickory Scientific Information
Display Name:
White hickory
Allergen code:
t41
Family:
Juglandaceae
Latin Name:
Carya tomentosa (syn. C. alba)
Other Names:
White Hickory, Mockernut hickory, Mockernut, Whiteheart hickory, Hognut, and Bullnut
WHO/ICD-11 code:
XM6V15
(ICD-11 is currently under implementation by WHO and the ICD-11 codes displayed in the encyclopedia may not yet be available in all countries)
Environmental Characteristics
Other Topics
White hickory, closely related to the Pecan (Hickory) tree (Carya pecan), is a member of the Juglandaceae (Walnut) family and is the most abundant of the Hickories. The Carya or Hickory genus comprises 17 species, of which 15 are found in the United States, 1 in Mexico and 1 in southern China. In the United States, Hickories are found principally in the eastern states and not in the Pacific states (1).
The Hickories are similar to the Walnut in that they are tall spreading trees with smooth gray bark and large deciduous pinnate leaves; but they generally have fewer leaflets than the Walnut does. The bark becomes rough or scaly on mature trees.
Clinical Relevance
Other Topics
Hayfever from Pecan is often described, especially in areas where it is cultivated (2). Because of the close family and genus relationship between White hickory and Pecan, results of studies on the latter may be applicable to the former.
The pollen of the other Hickories is also known to cause hayfever where the trees are abundant (3). Other species of Carya may be involved, e.g., the Shagbark (or Shellbark) hickory (C. ovata), Nutmeg hickory (C. myristicaeformis Nutt) and Pignut hickory (C. glabra) (2).
In a study of 371 allergy patients tested serologically for hypersensitivity to prevalent tree pollens in the area surrounding New York over the years 1993-2000, the highest prevalence of hypersensitivity was for Oak (34.3%), Birch (32.9%), and Maple (32.8%) tree pollens. Lower prevalences were observed for Beech (29.6%), Hickory (27.1%), Ash (26%), Elm (24.6%), and Poplar (20.6%) trees (4).
In an earlier study in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, a population was skin-tested with pollen from 12 wind-pollinated tree species. Pollen extracts of Box elder, Willow and Hickory elicited the strongest allergic reactions; Oak, Birch, Sycamore, Black walnut and Poplar more-moderate reactions; while allergens from Cottonwood, Maple, Elm and White ash were less reactive (5).
Sensitisation to the close genus member C. pecan has been demonstrated in Israel (6) and Mexico (7,8).
Molecular Aspects
No allergens have been characterised.
Cross Reactivity
Cross-reactivity could be expected between species of the genus Juglans and of the genus Carya, e.g., White hickory and Pecan tree.
Compiled By
Last reviewed: May 2022
References
- Wodehouse RP. Hayfever Plants. 2nd revised edition. Hafner Publishing Co., NY, USA. 1971
- Weber RW. Pecan. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2004;93(3):A-6
- Brown GT. Seasonal hayfever with special reference to the Middle Altantic states. J Med Soc N J. 1932;29:483-90
- Lin RY, Clauss AE, Bennett ES. Hypersensitivity to common tree pollens in New York City patients. Allergy Asthma Proc 2002;23(4):253-8
- Lewis WH, Imber WE Allergy epidemiology in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. III. Trees. Ann Allergy 1975;35(2):113-9
- Rachmiel M, Waisel Y, Verliger H, Keynan N, Katz Y. Correlation between exposure to allergenic pollens and allergic manifestations. [Hebrew] Harefuah 1996;130(8):505-11, 584
- Ramos Morin CJ, Canseco Gonzalez C. Hypersensitivity to airborne allergens common in the central region of Coahuila. [Spanish] Rev Alerg Mex 1994;41(3):84-7
- Ramos Morin CJ, Canseco Gonzalez C Hypersensitivity to common allergens in the central region of Coahuila [Spanish]. Rev Alerg Mex 1993;40(6):150-4
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