Capabilities of Molecular-Based Allergen Diagnostics in Atopic Diseases

Abstract

© 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature. One hundred thirty-one assays were performed to determine the level of specific IgE to major molecular components of the birch pollen—rBet v 1, timothy grass pollen—rPhl p1, rPhl p 5b, and house dust mites—nDer p1, rDer p2 as well as to the minor components of birch pollen—rBet v 2, rBet v 4, timothy grass pollen—rPhl p7, rPhl p 12, and house dust mites rDer p10 in patients with asthma (N = 66) and allergic rhinitis (N = 65). It is well established that sensitization to major and minor allergens facilitates the selection of an allergen for the allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT). According to the concept of molecular-based allergen diagnostics, the ASIT efficacy is expected to be high when IgЕ to major components are present and antibodies to minor components are absent. When elevated IgЕ levels to major and minor ASIT proteins are present, a moderate ASIT efficacy is expected.