title: Allergens and molecular diagnostics of shellfish allergy: Part 22 of the Series Molecular Allergology.
abstract: Shellfish belongs to "The Big 8" food groups causing allergy, which often does not outgrow during childhood. Shellfish is one of the main food allergens in adults and constitutes a diverse group of species subdivided into crustaceans and mollusks, which seem to include similar but also different allergens. Several pan-allergens are characterized in detail, including tropomyosin and arginine kinase, responsible for clinical cross-reactivity with other invertebrate allergen sources, embracing mites, insects, and parasites. Currently, at least seven different shellfish allergens have been identified, mostly from crustaceans. However, only three recombinant allergens are available for IgE-based routine diagnostic, including tropomyosin, arginine kinase, and sarcoplasmic Ca2+-binding protein. Other allergens include myosin light chain, troponin C, triosephosphate isomerase, and actin. This review summarizes the current advances on the molecular characterization of shellfish allergens, clinical cross-reactivity, and current diagnostic approaches for the management of this life-threatening disease.
authors.affiliation: Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland Australia ; Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland Australia ; College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland Australia ; Centre for Food and Allergy Research, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia ; Pharmacy and Medical Research College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University (Townsville Campus), Townsville, Queensland 4811 Australia.
authors.forename: Andreas L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Lopata
authors.affiliation: Allergy and Asthma Center Westend, Outpatient Clinic Hanf, Ackermann and Kleine-Tebbe, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kleine-Tebbe
authors.affiliation: Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland Australia ; Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland Australia ; College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland Australia.
authors.forename: Sandip D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Kamath
keywords: crustacean; mollusk – arginine kinase; prawn allergy; shellfish; tropomyosin