Parvalbumin--the major tropical fish allergen.
Fish allergy is common in countries where consumption is high. Asian nations are amongst the world's largest consumers of fish but the allergen profiles of tropical fish are unknown. This study sought to evaluate the allergenicity of four commonly consumed tropical fish, the threadfin (Polynemus indicus), Indian anchovy (Stolephorus indicus), pomfret (Pampus chinensis) and tengirri (Scomberomorus guttatus). Immunoglobulin E (IgE) cross-reactivity with parvalbumin of cod fish (Gad c 1), the major fish allergen, was also studied. Detection of tropical fish and cod specific-IgE was performed by UniCap assay, and skin prick tests were also carried out. The IgE-binding components of tropical fish were identified using IgE immunoblot techniques, and cross-reactivity with Gad c 1 was assessed by ELISA inhibition and IgE immunoblot inhibition. Clinically, nine of 10 patients studied were allergic to multiple fish. All patients exhibited detectable specific-IgE to cod fish (10 of 10 skin prick test positive, eight of 10 UniCap assay positive) despite lack of previous exposure. The major allergen of the four tropical fish was the 12-kDa parvalbumin. IgE cross-reactivity of these allergens to Gad c 1 was observed to be moderate to high in the tropical fish studied. Parvalbumins are the major allergens in commonly consumed tropical fish. They are cross-reactive with each other as well as with Gad c 1. Commercial tests for cod fish appear to be sufficient for the detection of tropical fish specific-IgE.
Lim
Dawn Li-Chern
DL
Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital, Singapore.
Neo
Keng Hwee
KH
Yi
Fong Cheng
FC
Chua
Kaw Yan
KY
Goh
Denise Li-Meng
DL
Shek
Lynette Pei-Chi
LP
Giam
Yoke Chin
YC
Van Bever
Hugo P S
HP
Lee
Bee Wah
BW
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005396:Fish Products / Q000009:adverse effects*; D029941:Fish Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D048388:Gadiformes; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D010320:Parvalbumins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D029941:Fish Proteins; D010320:Parvalbumins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E