Current status of standardization of inhalant allergen extracts in Korea.
Allergy diagnosis and immunotherapy in Korea rely mostly on imported allergen extracts. However, some allergens that are not important in Western countries are not commercially available, and even the same species of allergen source often displays differences in allergenicity due to amino acid sequence polymorphisms. Therefore, it is essential to prepare allergen extracts that reflect regional characteristics. Allergen standardization has been performed since 2009 with the support of the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Here, we summarize the current status of allergen standardization, focusing on the house dust mite and cockroach. Pollen allergens that are under investigation are also briefly described.
Department of Internal Medicine and Institute of Allergy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kyoung Yong
KY
Jeong
Department of Internal Medicine and Institute of Allergy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jae-Hyun
JH
Lee
Center for Immunology and Pathology, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong, Cheongwon, Korea.
Eun-Jin
EJ
Kim
Center for Immunology and Pathology, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong, Cheongwon, Korea.
Joo-Shil
JS
Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Sang-Heon
SH
Cho
Department of Pediatrics, Childhood Asthma Atopy Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Soo-Jong
SJ
Hong
Department of Internal Medicine and Institute of Allergy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jung-Won
JW
Park
Allergen; allergen extract; standardization