title: Recombinant marker allergens in diagnosis of patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis to tree and grass pollens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate recombinant marker allergens in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis to tree and grass pollens.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sera of 260 tree pollen- and 282 grass pollen-allergic patients were analyzed. Bet v 1 and Phl p 1/p 5 were used as marker allergens for allergies to pollen from birch and grasses. Profilin (Bet v 2 and Phl p 12) and calcium-binding protein (Bet v 4 and Phl p 7) were used as markers for polysensitization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred thirty-nine (92%) patients tested positive for IgE anti-Bet v 1. All of them were positive for IgE antibodies against natural birch extract (t3), hazel (t4), and alder (t2). Bet v 1 in combination with t3 identified allergies from related trees with a sensitivity of 99.2%. Two hundred fifty-six patients (91%) tested positive for IgE anti-Phl p 1 and/or anti-Phl p 5. All of them were positive for IgE antibodies against natural timothy (g6) and rye (g12) extract. Phl p 1/p 5 and natural timothy extract identified allergies from grasses and rye with a sensitivity of 99.3%. All Patients reacting to the cross-reactive allergens Bet v 2, Phl p 12, Bet v 4, and Phl p 7 were polysensitized.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bet v 1 in combination with natural birch pollen extract identifies allergies from related trees with a sensitivity of 99.2%. Phl p 1, Phl p 5, and natural timothy extract identifies allergies from grasses and rye in 99.3%. Reactivity to the allergens Bet v 2, Phl p 12, Bet v 4, and Phl p 7 identifies polysensitization and cross-reactivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Munich, Munich, Germany. martin.canis@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Canis
authors.forename: Moritz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gröger
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Klemens
authors.forename: Matthias F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Kramer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts; D006109:Poaceae; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012220:Rhinitis; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014197:Trees
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D015415:Biomarkers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E