Assessment of cross-reactivity in patients allergic to birch pollen by immunoblotting

Abstract

Cross-reactivity related to birch pollynosis and ingestion of certain food poses a severe clinical and diagnostic problem. Sera were taken from 21 adult patients allergic to birch pollen with symptoms after ingestion of apples, carrots and celeries, and seven control subjects allergic to birch pollen only. Concentrations of allergen-specific IgE against allergens of birch pollen, apple, carrot and celery were measured with enzyme immunoassay, fluorimetric enzyme-linked immunoassay and immunoblotting. Immunoblotting technique may serve as a valuable diagnostic tool for birch pollen associated cross-reactivity.

Keywords:

• birch pollen
• cross reactivity
• food allergy
• immunoblotting
• major allergens

Acknowledgements

Dr. Iwona Fares is greatly acknowledged for her invaluable help in gathering the sera from the patients. The work was supported by statutory grants from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education Health to Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz of Nicolaus Copernicus University and the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology.