Abstract
BackgroundA computerized statistical analysis of allergy skin test results correlating patient reactivities initiated our interest in the cross-reactive allergens of mesquite tree pollen. In-vitro testing with mesquite-sensitized rabbits and a variety of deciduous tree pollens revealed so many cross-reactivities that it became apparent there could be more allergens in mesquite than previously described in the world literature. Our purpose was to examine the allergens of mesquite tree pollen (Prosopis juliflora) which elicit an IgE response in allergic humans so that future research could determine if these human allergens cross-react with various tree pollens in the same manner as did the mesquite antiserum from sensitized rabbits.MethodsProteins from commercial mesquite tree pollen were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium-dodecyl-sulphate. These mesquite proteins were subjected to Western blotting using pooled sera from ten mesquite-sensitive patients and goat anti-human IgE. The allergens were detected using an Amplified Opti-4-CN kit, scanned, and then interpreted by Gel-Pro software.ResultsThirteen human allergens of mesquite pollen were detected in this study.ConclusionThe number of allergens in this study of mesquite exceeded the number identified previously in the literature. With the increased exposure to mesquite through its use in "greening the desert", increased travel to desert areas and exposure to mesquite in cooking smoke, the possible clinical significance of these allergens and their suggested cross-reactivity with other tree pollens merit further study.
Highlights
A computerized statistical analysis of allergy skin test results correlating patient reactivities initiated our interest in the cross-reactive allergens of mesquite tree pollen
Prosopis juliflora is a legume with several variations [2] that has been used for the reclamation of desert lands and as a wood resource [4,8], with the end result that its dispersed and its fartraveling pollen [1,4,8] is an abundant and significant source of allergens [5]
Novey [1] reported that mesquite was the most prevalent pollen sensitizing 100 of his patients in a California study, while Bener et al [7], report that 45% of the patients they tested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were sensitive to Prosopis
Summary
A computerized statistical analysis of allergy skin test results correlating patient reactivities initiated our interest in the cross-reactive allergens of mesquite tree pollen. In-vitro testing with mesquite-sensitized rabbits and a variety of deciduous tree pollens revealed so many cross-reactivities that it became apparent there could be more allergens in mesquite than previously described in the world literature. Our purpose was to examine the allergens of mesquite tree pollen (Prosopis juliflora) which elicit an IgE response in allergic humans so that future research could determine if these human allergens cross-react with various tree pollens in the same manner as did the mesquite antiserum from sensitized rabbits. Tree pollen cross-reactivity with mesquite was confirmed using rabbit antiserum for both Ouchterlony (unpublished study) testing and Western blotting [12], but the relevance to human allergy needed to be established. The aim of the current study was to amplify the present knowledge of mesquite allergens which affect humans preliminary to investigating the impact of mesquite pollen cross-reactivity
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