Lack of neo-sensitization to Pen a 1 in patients treated with mite sublingual immunotherapy.
BACKGROUND
Some studies reported the possible induction of food allergy, caused by neo-sensitization to cross-reacting allergens, during immunotherapy with aeroallergens, while other studies ruled out such possibility.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of neo-sensitization to Pen a 1 (tropomyosin) as well as the appearance of reactions after ingestion of foods containing tropomyosin as a consequence of sublingual mite immunization.


METHODS
Specific IgE to Tropomyosin (rPen a 1) before and after mite sublingual immunotherapy in 134 subjects were measured. IgE-specific antibodies for mite extract and recombinant allergen Pen a 1 were evaluated using the immunoenzymatic CAP system (Phadia Diagnostics, Milan, Italy).


RESULTS
All patients had rPen a 1 IgE negative results before and after mite SLIT and did not show positive shrimp extract skin reactivity and serological rPen a 1 IgE conversion after treatment. More important, no patient showed systemic reactions to crustacean ingestion.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients did not show neo-sensitization to tropomyosin, a component of the extract (namely mite group 10) administered. An assessment of a patient's possible pre-existing sensitisation to tropomyosin by skin test and/or specific IgE prior to start mite extract immunotherapy is recommended.


BACKGROUND
This trial is registered in EudraCT, with the ID number of 2010-02035531.
Rossi
Renato E
RE
Allergy Unit, National Health Service, Rete di Allergologia Regione Piemonte, Cuneo 1, Italy. immunoway@libero.it.
Monasterolo
Giorgio
G
Incorvaia
Cristoforo
C
Moingeon
Philippe
P
Frati
Franco
F
Passalacqua
Giovanni
G
Rossi
Lucilla
L
Canonica
Giorgio W
GW