title: Co-sensitization and cross-reactivity between related and unrelated food allergens in dogs - a serological study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Knowledge of cross-reactivity between foods is useful so that potentially cross-reactive allergens can be avoided in diet trials.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate allergenic cross-reactivity in related foods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sera from 469 dogs with suspected adverse food reactions.
  
  
  METHODS
  An IgE-based serological assay using 19 food allergens was performed in 469 dogs. Pairwise comparisons were used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) for each food pair, with significance at P < 0.0002 by Holm-Bonferroni correction, both in all 469 dogs and in the 261 of 469 dogs with at least one positive reaction. One-way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc tests (significance at P < 0.05) were used to test for differences between mean logE ORs in different food groups. Inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were performed to assess allergenic cross-reactivity between beef, lamb and cow's milk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant associations were observed between both related and unrelated food pairs. Associations were, however, more frequent and stronger among related than unrelated foods. In all 469 dogs, 38 of 43 related food pairs were significantly associated [mean (SD) logE OR 3.4 (0.9)] compared with 79 of 128 unrelated pairs [2.7 (1.0)], P < 0.0002. In positive dogs, 32 of 43 related pairs were significantly associated [2.7 [1.0)] compared with 49 of 128 unrelated pairs [1.8 (1.0)], P < 0.0002. Inhibition ELISAs confirmed the presence of cross-reactive IgE-binding epitopes in beef, lamb and cow's milk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that related and potentially cross-reactive foods should be avoided in elimination diets.
authors.affiliation: Avacta Animal Health, Unit 706, Avenue E West, Thorp Arch Estate, Wetherby, LS23 7GA, UK.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bexley
authors.affiliation: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Edinburgh, EH25 9RG, UK.
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Nuttall
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hammerberg
authors.affiliation: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Edinburgh, EH25 9RG, UK.
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Halliwell
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D004285:Dogs; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens