Search

Background: Our group previously found that up to 7% of amateur anglers in Caceres, Spain may be allergic to the larvae of Protophormia terraenovae (order Diptera, family Calliphoridae) used as live bait for fishing., Objective: To identify the pattern of major allergens in P terraenovae and other species of Calliphoridae., Materials and Methods: Extracts of P terraenovae, Calliphora vomitoria, Lucilia sericata and Lumbricus terrestris were characterized using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and IgE-immunoblotting techniques in individual sera from 24 patients with a positive skin test result and/or specific IgE determination (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]) to P terraenovae. ELISA and IgE-immunoblotting inhibition studies were also performed to identify potential cross-reactive allergens between these species., Results: IgE-immunoblotting with P terraenovae showed a band of 15.3 kDa recognized by 15 patients, in addition to 2 further allergens of 22.8 kDa and 69 kDa. For C vomitoria, 5 bands of 73, 46, 40, 28, and 14 kDa were observed. For L sericata, 2 major allergens of 73 kDa and 14 kDa were observed. In the case of L terrestris, IgE from 13 patients recognized 1 allergen of around 15.5 kDa. IgE-immunoblotting and ELISA inhibition revealed the presence of cross-reactivity, mainly between L terrestris and P terraenovae., Conclusions: P terraenovae appears to have species-specific allergens and allergens shared with C vomitoria and L sericata. Striking immunological cross-reactivity was observed between P terraenovae and L terrestris. An allergen of 15-16 kDa could be involved in this phenomenon.

Background: Mast cells (MCs) play a key role in allergic diseases through the release of inflammatory mediators, which are responsible of allergic symptoms. Mastocytosis is characterized by an abnormal proliferation and accumulation of mast cells, in which mediators are released intermittingly or continuously. Despite these clinical similarities, few studies have addressed the presence of allergic symptoms in mastocytosis patients, including anaphylaxis., Objective: A prospective evaluation was carried out to study the prevalence of allergic diseases in patients with mastocytosis and their impact on the natural history of mastocytosis., Methods: A questionnaire was given to 210 patients with mastocytosis to evaluate the history of asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria and anaphylaxis. Patients underwent total IgE, Phadiatop infant (aeroallergens and food allergens), specific IgE to latex and to Anisakis simplex determinations. Skin tests were done to 72 patients., Results: The prevalence of allergy, as defined by clinical symptoms associated to specific IgE, was 23.9%. Total IgE level was significantly higher in patients with allergy as compared with patients without allergy (median 58 vs. 16.5 kU/L, P<0.0001). Anaphylactic symptoms were present in 36 patients (22%), in nine the allergen was identified. Males had more allergy and anaphylactic symptoms than females (61.5% vs. 38.5% and 72% vs. 28%, respectively)., Conclusions: Allergic diseases coexist in patients with mastocytosis with similar frequency as compared with the general population. Anaphylactic symptoms are more prevalent in males with mastocytosis and in patients with elevated IgE., Capsule Summary: The prevalence of allergy in mastocytosis is similar to the general population. Anaphylactic symptoms are more prevalent in males and in patients with elevated IgE. The coexistence of atopy does not influence mastocytosis-associated symptoms.