Cockroach allergens: Environmental distribution and relationship to disease

Abstract

Cockroach allergy has been recognized as an important cause of asthma. Exposure to high levels of cockroach allergens in the home is a major risk factor for symptoms in sensitized individuals. Previously identified allergens from Blatella germanica and Periplaneta americana include Bla g 2 (inactive aspartic proteinase), 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). The primary site of cockroach allergen accumulation is the kitchen. However, lower levels of allergen can be found in bedding, on the bedroom floor, and in sofa dust. Strategies for decreasing exposure to cockroach have been investigated. The results suggest that a sustained decrease in cockroach allergen levels is difficult to accomplish, even after successful extermination of cockroach populations. The use of recombinant cockroach allergens may lead to the development of new approaches to asthma treatment in the future.

Sensitization to inhalant and food allergens in Brazilian atopic children by <i>in vitro</i> total and specific IgE assay. Allergy Project - PROAL

“…A presença de reatividade cruzada entre esses alérgenos é a justificativa mais plausível. Eles apresentam em comum a tropomiosina, proteína contrátil presente tanto nos ácaros quanto na barata e nos pescados (camarão) 25 . Outra concomitância de positividade foi a do leite de vaca e do epitélio de vaca.…”

Occupational health risks due to shipboard cockroaches

“…The allergenic structures of the diVerent cockroach species are well known (Arruda et al 2001). Some cockroach allergens show a high homology to allergens of other species (e.g.…”

Protein Biomarkers in Asthma

“…It was reported that 55% of children and young adults with allergic respiratory symptoms had a positive skin test reaction to cockroach allergens in Brazil [126]. Children with asthma who were sensitized and exposed to high levels of cockroach allergens had increased asthma morbidity [127].…”