Abstract
ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the profile of sensitization to silkworm moth (Bombyx mori) and other 9 common inhalant allergens among patients with allergic diseases in southern China.MethodsA total of 175 patients were tested for serum sIgE against silkworm moth in addition to combinations of other allergens: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, Blomia tropicalis, Blattella germanica, Periplaneta americana, cat dander, dog dander, Aspergillus fumigatus and Artemisia vulgaris by using the ImmunoCAP system. Correlation between sensitization to silkworm moth and to the other allergens was analyzed.ResultsOf the 175 serum samples tested, 86 (49.14%) were positive for silkworm moth sIgE. With high concordance rates, these silkworm moth sensitized patients were concomitantly sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (94.34%), Dermatophagoides farinae (86.57%), Blomia tropicalis (93.33%), Blattella germanica (96.08%), and Periplaneta americana (79.41%). Moreover, there was a correlation in serum sIgE level between silkworm moth and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (r = 0.518), Dermatophagoides farinae (r = 0.702), Blomia tropicalis (r = 0.701), Blattella germanica (r = 0.878), and Periplaneta americana (r = 0.531) among patients co-sensitized to silkworm moth and each of these five allergens.ConclusionIn southern Chinese patients with allergic diseases, we showed a high prevalence of sensitization to silkworm moth, and a co-sensitization between silkworm moth and other five common inhalant allergens. Further serum inhibition studies are warranted to verify whether cross-reactivity exists among these allergens.
Highlights
Recent studies in China and Western countries have indicated that airborne insect allergens play an important role as pollens and fungi in the incidence and development of allergic diseases [1,2,3,4]
There is little information available regarding silkworm moth-specific IgE level in Chinese patients and whether co-sensitization or cross reactivity exists between the silkworm moth and other common inhalant allergens
Based on the indication by attending physicians, they were tested for specific IgE (sIgE) against at least one of other 9 common inhalant allergens (Table 1)
Summary
Recent studies in China and Western countries have indicated that airborne insect allergens play an important role as pollens and fungi in the incidence and development of allergic diseases [1,2,3,4]. In southern China where insects grow well in hot and humid climates, previous local epidemiological study in Guangzhou (unpublished data) showed that up to 40% of patients with respiratory allergy were sensitized to silkworm moth, and the prevalence of sensitization to silkworm moth was one of leading causes of allergy, immediately ranked after house dust mites and before cockroaches. This is interesting because silkworm moth is domesticated and is traditionally perceived as an occupational allergen found in silk-producing industries [8,9]. We analyzed the pattern of correlation and the probability of co-sensitization or cross-reactivity between silkwom moth and these allergens
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