Allergy to pigeon tick (Argas reflexus): demonstration of specific IgE-binding components.

Background: The European tick, Argas reflexus, is an urban pest parasitizing urban pigeons and may cause a wide range of allergic reactions.

Methods: Specific IgE to A. reflexus, SDS-PAGE and IgE immunoblotting, performed with tick extract, were carried out in the sera of 6 patients who reported allergic reactions after tick bite.