Evidence of IgE-Mediated Cross-Reactions between and Proteins.

Fish consumers may develop allergic reactions following the ingestion of fish products containing nematode larvae within the genus . Sensitized patients may cross-react with proteins from insects, mites and mollusks, leading to allergic reactions even in the absence of the offending food. Potential cross-reactivity in -allergic patients with larval proteins from other zoonotic parasites present in freshwater and sea fish should be investigated due to an increasing occurrence in certain fish stocks, particularly . In this work, we evaluated IgE-cross reactions by in vivo (skin prick tests with parasites extracts) and in vitro methods (IgE-ELISA and IgE-immunoblot). In vivo skin prick tests (SPT) proved the reactivity of -sensitized patients when exposed to antigens. Sera from -sensitized patients confirmed the reaction with somatic antigens (SA) and excretory/secretory proteins (ES) from . Only anecdotal responses were obtained from other freshwater worm parasites. Consequently, it is suggested that -sensitized humans, especially patients with high levels of specific anti- antibodies, may react to proteins, possibly due to IgE-mediated cross-reactivity.