Microarrays of recombinant Hevea brasiliensis proteins: a novel tool for the component-resolved diagnosis of natural rubber latex allergy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Component-resolved diagnosis using microarray technology has recently been introduced in clinical allergology, but its applicability in patients with natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy has not been investigated.

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the utility of microarray-based immunoglobulin (Ig) E detection in the diagnostic workup of NRL allergy and to compare this new diagnostic tool with established methods of NRL-specific IgE detection.

METHODS:

We investigated 52 adults with immediate-type NRL allergy and 50 control patients. Determination of specific serum IgE against 8 recombinant Hevea brasiliensis allergen components was performed using a customized allergen microarray and a conventional fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (FEIA).

RESULTS:

The panel of microarrayed allergen components was shown to represent a comprehensive repertoire of clinically relevant NRL proteins. NRL-specific IgE recognition patterns and sensitization rates determined by microarray analysis were similar to those obtained by conventional FEIA. The diagnostic sensitivity rates of combined single-component data were not significantly different for the respective recombinant test system, whereas the sensitivity level of extract-based FEIA analysis was markedly higher.

CONCLUSION:

The current study provides evidence that microarrays of recombinant NRL allergen components are a suitable new tool for the diagnosis of NRL-specific sensitization.They show performance characteristics comparable to those of current diagnostic tests and could be indicated in small children in whom only limited blood volumes are obtainable. Further large-scale studies in unselected patient populations and in high-risk groups are warranted before the microarray can be introduced into routine management of patients with NRL allergy.

• Authors: H Ott, C Schröder, M Raulf-Heimsoth, V Mahler, C Ocklenburg, H F Merk, J M Baron
• Journal: Journal of investigational allergology & clinical immunology (J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol) Vol. 20 Issue 2 Pg. 129-38 ( 2010) ISSN: 1018-9068 [Print] Spain
• PMID: 20461967 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antigens, Plant
• Epitopes
• Recombinant Proteins
• Immunoglobulin E

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antigens, Plant (immunology)
• Disease Progression
• Epitopes (metabolism)
• Female
• Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay
• Hevea (immunology)
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin E (blood, immunology)
• Latex Hypersensitivity (diagnosis, immunology, physiopathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Protein Array Analysis
• Recombinant Proteins (immunology)