rAed a 4: A New 67-kDa Aedes aegypti Mosquito Salivary Allergen for the Diagnosis of Mosquito Allergy.

Background: Accurate diagnosis of mosquito allergy has been hampered by the laborious task of obtaining mosquito salivary allergens. We have previously studied 3 recombinant (r) Aedes aegypti mosquito salivary allergens: rAed a 1, rAed a 2 and rAed a 3. Here, we report the expression, purification, identification and evaluation of rAed a 4, a 67-kDa α-glucosidase.

Evidence for natural desensitization to mosquito salivary allergens: mosquito saliva specific IgE and IgG levels in children.

Background: There are few epidemiologic data on the prevalence of mosquito allergy, although local reactions to mosquito bites are common.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of mosquito allergy in children by measuring serum levels of mosquito saliva specific IgE and IgG antibodies that correlate well with the size of mosquito bite local reactions.

Methods: Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to measure mosquito (Aedes vexans) saliva-specific antibodies, we investigated sensitization to mosquito bites in 402 children aged 1 month to 18 years and correlated mosquito saliva specific IgE and IgG levels with age and sex.