Anaphylaxis caused by the new ant, Pachycondyla chinensis : Demonstration of specific IgE and IgE-binding components

Abstract

Background: There have been no reports dealing with the pathogenic mechanism and IgE-binding components in patients with anaphylaxis caused by a sting from Pachycondyla chinensis. Objectives: This study was conducted to observe the clinical features of patients with P chinensis-induced anaphylaxis. The roles of specific (s) IgE and sIgG4 antibodies were evaluated, and IgE-binding components were identified. Methods: Seven patients with P chinensis-induced anaphylaxis and 15 unexposed control subjects were enrolled. P chinensis ants were collected at the patients' homes, and venom was prepared as P chinensis extract. Five patients complained of bee venom-induced anaphylaxis and had positive sIgE levels to yellow jacket venom, wasp venom, or both as well. Serum sIgE and sIgG4 were detected by means of ELISA. To identify IgEbinding components within P chinensis extracts, 12% SDS-PAGE with immunoblot analysis was applied. Results: All patients had positive skin prick test responses to P chinensis antigen and positive sIgE levels. Five (71%) patients had positive sIgG4 levels. Eight IgE-binding components (58, 46, 3l, 29, 27, 25, 22, and 12 kd) were noted, and the component at 12 kd was the most frequently found allergen (85%). IgE ELISA inhibition tests were performed on 2 groups of sera: one from patients with anaphylaxis induced by both P chinensis and bee venom (group A) and the other from patients with anaphylaxis induced by P chinensis venom alone without bee venom allergy (group B). ELISA inhibition tests with serum from group A showed significant inhibitions with addition of P chinensis extract, partial inhibitions with yellow jacket antigen, and minimal inhibitions with wasp or imported fire ant antigens. However, ELISA inhibition tests with serum from group B showed significant inhibitions with P chinensis antigen but no inhibition with wasp, yellow jacket, or imported fire ant antigens. Conclusions

Eggplant anaphylaxis in a patient with latex allergy

“…Competitive ELISA inhibition tests were performed to determine the specificity of IgE binding to fresh and boiled eggplant antigen and the allergenic cross-reactivity to latex antigen. 3 Significant inhibition was noted with boiled eggplant antigen and latex antigen and, to a lesser degree, with fresh eggplant antigen, but inhibition with house dust mite antigen and potato antigen were minimal (Fig 1). To identify specific IgE-binding antigens, we performed SDS-PAGE and immunoblot analysis (Fig 2).…”

Kreuzreaktionen zwischen den Giften von Hymenopteren unterschiedlicher Familien, Gattungen und Arten

“…50% Sequenzhomologie zu Sol i 3 und Ves v 5 isoliert [26]. In Immunoblots wurden weitere Allergene von 12-30 kDa identifiziert [19]. Hinweisend auf eine mögliche Kreuzreaktivität mit anderen Hymenopterengiften ist das häufige Auftreten einer simultanen Wespen-und Bienengiftallergie bei Pachycondyla-Allergikern.…”

“…Hinweisend auf eine mögliche Kreuzreaktivität mit anderen Hymenopterengiften ist das häufige Auftreten einer simultanen Wespen-und Bienengiftallergie bei Pachycondyla-Allergikern. Manche Studien beobachteten dabei eine moderate Kreuzreaktivität mit Vespula, nicht aber mit Polistes, Biene und Solenopsis [19], andere fanden eine simultane Reaktivität mit Solenopsis [6]. …”

Systemic Immediate Allergic Reactions to Arthropod Stings and Bites

“…Specific IgE and IgG4 have been found in a high percentage of patients with anaphylaxis to P. chinensis . Several IgE-binding components were identified, and a 12-kDa allergen was present in 85% of the cases.Cross-reactivity with other Hymenoptera venoms was only observed in the group with clinical allergy to other Hymenoptera species [50]. The Samsum ant, another representative of the Pachycondyla sp., is responsible for allergic reactions in the Arabian peninsula.…”