Allergy to fish parvalbumins: studies on the cross-reactivity of allergens from 9 commonly consumed fish.
BACKGROUND
Fish-hypersensitive patients can probably tolerate some fish species while being allergic to others.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the allergenic cross-reactivity between 9 commonly edible fish: cod, salmon, pollack, mackerel, tuna, herring, wolffish, halibut, and flounder.


METHODS
Sera from 10 patients allergic to fish and rabbit antisera against 3 parvalbumins (Gad c 1, Sal s 1, and The c 1) were used. Cross-reactivity was investigated by SDS/PAGE and IgE immunoblotting, IgG ELISA, IgE ELISA inhibition, and skin prick test (SPT).


RESULTS
Cod (Gad c 1), salmon (Sal s 1), pollack (The c 1), herring, and wolffish share antigenic and allergenic determinants as shown by immunoblots and IgE ELISA, whereas halibut, flounder, tuna, and mackerel displayed lowest cross-reactivities. The highest mean IgE ELISA inhibition percent of 10 sera was obtained by Gad c 1, followed by The c 1, herring, Sal s 1, wolffish, halibut, flounder, tuna, and mackerel with the least inhibition. Nine of the 10 patients showed positive SPT to cod, salmon, and pollack; 8 patients reacted to recombinant (r) Sal s 1. Positive SPTs to rGad c 1 and rThe c 1 were demonstrated in 1 patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Gad c 1, Sal s 1, The c 1, herring, and wolffish contained the most potent cross-reacting allergens, whereas halibut, flounder, tuna, and mackerel were the least allergenic in the current study. The latter could probably be tolerated by some of the tested patients.
Van Do
Thien
T
Allergy Research Group, Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Elsayed
Said
S
Florvaag
Erik
E
Hordvik
Ivar
I
Endresen
Curt
C
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes / Q000276:immunology*; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010320:Parvalbumins / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests
D000485:Allergens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010320:Parvalbumins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E