Search Results (5)

Allergen-specific IgE multiplex serology enables the molecular characterization of sensitizations in large populations. To determine the sensitization prevalence and spectrum in dogs suspected of having allergies in the US, we analyzed results from 21,121 serum samples tested in 2024 and 2025 using the Pet Allergy Xplorer (PAX) 238-allergen platform. Sensitization to at least one allergen and to at least one environmental allergen was detected in 90.7% and 86.2% of dogs, respectively. House dust mites (HDMs) were the predominant allergens (79.5%), followed by Hymenoptera venoms (39.8%), meats (21.9%), weeds (21.5%), and tree pollens (18.6%). Sensitization to the Dermatophagoides farinae HDM was the most prevalent (76.7%). Unsupervised clustering of 16,366 sensitized dogs identified six biologically coherent profiles centered on flea saliva, mammalian serum albumins/IgGs, honeybee venom, HDM group-2 allergens, storage mites, and PR-10-family allergens. A second, pollen/plant-food-focused analysis found clusters associated with Parietaria Par j 2, ragweed, granule-bound starch synthases, and PR-10 allergens, as well as a minor Phl p 6-associated grass pollen profile. Altogether, these results define the molecular sensitization repertoire of dogs suspected of allergic diseases in the US and provide the background for interpreting IgE serological results and optimizing allergen selection for immunotherapy. Full article

Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is an IgE-mediated allergy, triggered by a carbohydrate—galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal). AGS is marked by a delayed onset of symptoms, typically occurring 3–8 h after the ingestion of red meat or other mammalian-derived products. The primary risk factor is believed to be tick bites, which sensitize individuals through the introduction of α-Gal via tick saliva. Diagnosis of AGS is based on a combination of anamnesis and detection of α-Gal-specific IgE antibodies. We evaluated 28 patients with a history of unexplained anaphylaxis, angioedema, and/or urticaria, in whom the diagnostic work-up included the assessment of serum IgE specific to alpha-gal. Elevated alpha-gal-specific IgE levels were detected in five patients. Among them, four reported anaphylactic episodes following meat consumption. In three cases, symptoms developed during the evening or nighttime, typically 3 to 6 h after the last meal. One patient experienced anaphylaxis within one hour after a meal. Another patient presented angioedema up to 24 h after meat consumption and was also tested positive for specific IgE against beef and pork allergens. The AGS case series showed variability in clinical picture and time to reaction. In patients presenting idiopathic anaphylaxis and nonspecific symptoms after red meat consumption, AGS should be considered as a differential diagnosis. Full article

(1) Background: alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a serious, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. This is a type of food allergy to red meat and other mammalian products (e.g., gelatin). In Poland, this problem seems to be rare or, more likely, very underdiagnosed. The diagnosis of AGS is difficult. It seems that the knowledge about this syndrome is insufficient. There are no effective diagnostic tools able to clearly diagnose this cross-reactive allergy. This paper presents the clinical application of a non-standard method in the diagnosis of a cross-reactive allergy using the example of AGS. (2) Methods: standard tests for in vitro allergy diagnostics and the non-standard ImmunoCAP inhibition test(IT) were carried out for serum collected from a patient with a red meat allergy. (3) Results: the serum concentration of anti-α-Gal IgE was very high (302 kUA/L), and IgE antibodies toanti-mammalian-meat allergens were found. The level of IgE antibodies to mammalian meat allergens decreased after blocking on α-GAL-CAP. The concentration of anti-α-Gal IgE decreased after blocking on CAPs coated with various mammalian meat allergens. Blocking with allergens of poultry meat did not affect the concentration of anti-α-Gal IgE. (4) Conclusions: the ImmunoCAP ITseems to be a useful tool in the diagnosis of cross-reactive allergies. Based on their clinical history and test results, the patient was diagnosed with AGS caused by a primary sensitization to α-Gal after a tick bite. This is the second case of AGS described in Poland and the first in Pomerania. Full article

Cross-reactivity of allergens is the cause of various, sometimes unexpected, clinical reactions. There are no standard methods to investigate cross-reactivity. We present an experimental model of a two-sided inhibition test (IT) on ImmunoCAP membranes (CAP). We constructed the described model based on the known cross-allergy syndrome to red meat developing in people bitten by ticks (α-Gal syndrome; AGS). Some individuals who are bitten by ticks develop IgE antibodies specific to the carbohydrate determinant, galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal), present in the tick’s saliva. These antibodies can cross-react with α-Gal molecules expressed on mammalian meat proteins. The well-known property of anti-α-Gal IgE antibodies binding by various sources of this allergen was used by us in the proposed model of the two-sided inhibition test on ImmunoCAP membranes. We expected that anti-α-Gal IgE antibodies bind allergens from mammalian meat and blocking them abolishes this reactivity, and the two-sided inhibition test model we proposed on ImmunoCAP membranes allowed us to observe such a relationship. We conducted the experiment three times on biological material from people with different clinical manifestations of allergy to α-Gal, each time obtaining similar results. In conclusion, the model of bilateral inhibition on ImmunoCAP membranes proposed by us seems to be an attractive, simple tool for direct testing of allergic cross-reactivity. Full article

Transepithelial transport of proteins is an important step in the immune response to food allergens. Mammalian meat allergy is characterized by an IgE response against the carbohydrate moiety galactosyl-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal) present on mammalian glycoproteins and glycolipids, which causes severe allergic reactions several hours after red meat consumption. The delayed reaction may be related to the processing of α-Gal carrying proteins in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to investigate how protein glycosylation by α-Gal affects the susceptibility to gastric digestion and transport through the Caco-2 cell monolayer. We found that α-Gal glycosylation altered protein susceptibility to gastric digestion, where large protein fragments bearing the α-Gal epitope remained for up to 2 h of digestion. Furthermore, α-Gal glycosylation of the protein hampered transcytosis of the protein through the Caco-2 monolayer. α-Gal epitope on the intact protein could be detected in the endosomal fraction obtained by differential centrifugation of Caco-2 cell lysates. Furthermore, the level of galectin-3 in Caco-2 cells was not affected by the presence of α-Gal glycosylated BSA (bovine serum albumin) (BSA-α-Gal). Taken together, our data add new knowledge and shed light on the digestion and transport of α-Gal glycosylated proteins. Full article