N-Glycan Inhibitors in Immunoassay Methods for serum Allergen Specific IgE

Abstract

Cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs) represent fucosylated/xylosylated N-glycans present in pollen and food of plant origin, latex and hymenoptera venoms. IgE antibodies against CCD do not have significant clinical relevance, but represent an important cause of cross-reactivity in the case of in vitro immunoassay methods for determining serum specific IgE. CCD inhibitors play a key role in the laboratory for preventing misinterpretation of such in vitro positive assays and for increasing their specificity.