Allergen stabilities and compatibilities in mixtures of high-protease fungal and insect extracts.

Background: Current practice guidelines state that protease-rich fungal and insect extracts can be combined when preparing immunotherapy vaccines, but data supporting the stability of allergens in these mixtures have not been reported.

Objective: To determine the stabilities and compatibilities of Alternaria alternata and German cockroach allergens in mixtures with other high-protease fungal and insect (cockroach, imported fire ant) extracts at final extract concentrations consistent with injection dose targets for maintenance immunotherapy.

Methods: Mixtures containing Alternaria, German cockroach, and other fungal and insect extracts frequently included in immunotherapy vaccines were analyzed by a combination of quantitative analyses (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for multiallergen immunoglobulin E [IgE]-binding potency, major Alternaria allergen Alt a 1, and major German cockroach allergens Bla g 1 and Bla g 2) and qualitative methods (immunoblotting).

Stability and mixing compatibility of dog epithelia and dog dander allergens.

Background: Little information or data are available concerning the stability and compatibility of dog epithelia and dog dander allergens.

Objective: To determine the immunochemical reactivities of commercial, nonstandardized dog epithelia and dog dander extracts after exposures to various temperatures or after mixing with high-protease fungal and cockroach extracts at concentrations recommended for maintenance immunotherapy (IT) injections.

Methods: Quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and qualitative (immunoblot) analyses were performed to compare specific compositional changes with total or individual allergen activities.

Compatibility of imported fire ant whole body extract with cat, ragweed, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and timothy grass allergens.

Background: Recommendations regarding the administration of imported fire ant whole body extract (IFA WBE) combined with aeroallergens or environmental allergens in a single immunotherapy injection are lacking.

Objective: To evaluate the degradative effect of IFA WBE on cat, ragweed, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and timothy grass allergens.

Methods: Imported fire ant whole body extract was combined with extracts of cat, ragweed, D pteronyssinus, and timothy grass.

Stability of standardized grass, dust mite, cat, and short ragweed allergens after mixing with mold or cockroach extracts.

Background: Limited data are available on the immunochemical compatibilities of standardized and nonstandardized allergen extracts in immunotherapy vaccines. Extract combinations recommended in immunotherapy practice parameters are based primarily on theoretical considerations rather than on actual product compatibilities.

Objectives: To determine the stabilities of standardized grass, short ragweed, dust mite, and cat extracts after mixing with fungal and cockroach extracts at final product concentrations similar to those recommended for maintenance immunotherapy injections.