The role of cockroach allergens in asthma

Abstract

Cockroach allergy has been recognized as an important cause of asthma. Cockroach asthma has been described as a more severe disease, associated with perennial symptoms and high levels of total IgE. Cockroaches produce several allergens that induce sensitization, and exposure to high levels of cockroach allergens in the home is a major risk factor for symptoms in sensitized individuals. Previously identified allergens from Blattella germanica and Periplaneta americana, the most important domiciliary species, include Bla g 2 (inactive aspartic protease), Bla g 4 (calycin), Bla g 5 (glutathione-S-transferase), Bla g 6 (troponin), the Group 1 cross-reactive allergens Bla g 1 and Per a 1, Per a 3 (arylphorin), and Per a 7 (tropomyosin). Strategies for decreasing environmental exposure to cockroach have been recently investigated. The results suggest that a sustained decrease in cockroach allergen levels is difficult to accomplish, even after successful extermination of cockroach populations. Cockroach allergens have been cloned and produced as recombinant proteins in high-level expression vectors. The use of recombinant cockroach allergens should allow mechanisms of cockroach-induced asthma to be investigated and may lead to the development of new approaches to asthma treatment in the future.

Achieving and maintaining asthma control in inner-city children

“…Interval >90 days was adversely associated with maintenance of WCA for all baseline severities, indicating the need for regular care to make therapeutic adjustments and optimize asthma control. 48,[51][52][53][54][55][56][57] Results reinforce that adherence and routine follow-up are critical to maintaining asthma control.…”

Does Exposure to Indoor Allergens Contribute to the Development of Asthma and Allergy?

“…Exposure to cockroach and mouse allergen is common in children living in inner-city areas of the United States compared with those living in a suburban environment [9]. This has been consistently associated with a high level of prevalence and morbidity from asthma in these children, and a correlation has been observed between the prevalence of diagnosed asthma and level of mouse [43] and cockroach allergen [44]. In a pooled analysis of more than 58,000 children, an association was found between visible mold exposure and respiratory and allergic symptoms [45].…”

Cockroach Allergen per a 7 Down-Regulates Expression of Toll-Like Receptor 9 and IL-12 Release from P815 Cells Through PI3K and MAPK Signaling Pathways

“…Cockroach allergens have been identified as major indoor allergens inducing IgE mediated allergic respiratory illness such as perennial rhinitis and asthma [1]. Most cockroach allergy was caused by the two most common domiciliary species: American cockroaches (Periplaneta 562 americana) and German (Blattella germanica) cockroaches.…”