Detection of house-dust-mite allergen in amniotic fluid and umbilical-cord blood.
Mononuclear cells in umbilical-cord blood display allergen-specific reactivity, but how allergen exposure occurs in utero is unknown. We investigated the presence of a common inhalant allergen (Der p 1), to which mothers are exposed throughout pregnancy, by ELISA in matched maternal blood and amniotic fluid samples at 16-17 weeks of gestation, and in matched maternal and umbilical-cord blood at term (> or =37 weeks of gestation). Der p 1 was detectable in 24 of 43 amniotic fluid samples where it was also present in maternal blood, and in 15 of 24 cord-plasma samples at significantly higher concentrations than in the maternal plasma (p=0.022). The detection of Der p 1 in the amniotic fluid and the fetal circulation provides direct evidence of transamniotic and transplacental allergen exposure.
Holloway
J A
JA
Warner
J O
JO
Vance
G H
GH
Diaper
N D
ND
Warner
J A
JA
Jones
C A
CA
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D008925:Mites; D011247:Pregnancy
D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D006023:Glycoproteins