Abstract

The aim of the studies was to investigate the biologic activity of recombinant cockroach and mite allergens and their potential for use in diagnosis and treatment of allergic disease. Cockroach allergens Bla g 2, Bla g 4 and Bla g 5 and mite group 5 allergens were produced in bacterial expression vectors and used for immediate skin and serum IgE antibody tests. The cockroach allergens showed very good skin test reactivity in allergic patients, giving positive reactions at 10(-2)-10(-5) microg/ml; controls were negative at 10(0) microg/ml. These reactions correlated with serum IgE antibody results. The prevalence of reactivity to group 5 mite allergens varied with exposure. There was a high prevalence (70%) of sensitization to Blomia tropicalis allergen, Blo t 5, among patients from Brazil and Singapore, whereas < 20% of patients from Charlottesville, US and Manchester, UK gave positive skin tests to Blo t 5 (p < 0.001). The results show that recombinant allergens retain biologic activity and suggest that cocktails of two to four recombinant allergens could be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. The phased introduction of recombinant allergens should improve the management of allergic disease.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.