SERUM IGE REACTIVITY TO CROSS-REACTING MOLECULES IN POLLEN ALLERGIC PATIENTS FROM NORTH EASTERN POLAND

Abstract

Introduction Presence of IgE which cross-react with allergen components such as profilins, polcalcins and cross-reacting carbohydrate determinants (CCD) creates a problem in selection of patients for allergen immunotherapy. This study assesses the prevalence of sensitization to profilins, polcalcins and CCDs in seasonal allergic rhinitis patients (ARs). Methods 112 allergic rhinitis (AR) patients age 14 to 55 years with sensitization to at least one seasonal allergen (IgE>0.7 KU/l) were studied. IgE sensitization to recombinant(r) Bet v 2, rPhl p 12, rBet v 4, rPhl p 7 and CCDs in addition to rBet v 1, rPhl p 1, rPhl p 5 was evaluated using a multiplex immunoblot (Euroimmun, Germany). Results 64.3%, 80.4% and 41.1% of AR patients were sensitized to birch, timothy grass and mugwort pollen, respectively. Sensitization to rBet v 2/Phl p 12 occured in 26.8%, to Bet v 4/Phl p 7 in 8.9%, and to CCDs in 25%. In 29.3% of AR patients serum IgE reactivity to any of the cross-reactive component could be demonstrated. Serum IgE reactivity to rBet v 2 was always accompanied by reactivity to rPhl p 12 and reactivity to rBet v 4 was always accompanied by reactivity to rPhl p 7. Conclusions Evaluation of serum IgE reactivity to cross-reactive components may be useful in assessment of AR patients qualified for allergen immunotherapy.