Distribution characteristics of cow’s milk-sIgE components in children with respiratory allergic diseases in southern China

Abstract

Background: Cow's milk (CM) is the main food allergen for toddlers and infants. Presently, studies on CM specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) sensitization and positive distribution of CM components ALA-, CAS-, and BLG-sIgE are lacking in infants with respiratory allergic diseases, especially in southern China. This study therefore aimed to investigate the distribution of CM sensitization and the relation between its components α-lactalbumin (ALA), β-lactoglobulin (BLG) and casein (CAS) sIgE in children with respiratory allergic diseases in southern China. Methods: A total of 1839 children (≤12 years) with respiratory diseases and detected CM-sIgE levels were included. Serum samples were collected from the Respiratory Diseases Bioresources Center of the National Center for Respiratory Diseases in southern China from August 2012 to July 2017. ALA-, BLG-, and CAS-sIgE were detected and questionnaires were completed in 103 children. Results: A total of 36.7% children were positive for CM-sIgE. CM-sIgE levels were higher in asthmatic bronchitis (AB) group than in other allergic respiratory disease groups (all P < 0.05). Among the 103 CM-sIgE-sensitized children, 64.08% had a history of family allergies. There were 84.47% of the children who tested positive for two or more sIgE components. The average ALA-, BLG-, and CAS-sIgE levels were 1.91 kU/L, 1.81 kU/L, and 0.62 kU/L, respectively. The CM-sIgE level showed a correlation with BLG-sIgE (r s = 0.833), ALA-sIgE (r s = 0.816), and CAS-sIgE (r s = 0.573) levels (all p < 0.001). Conclusions: In southern China, CM-sIgE levels were higher in children with AB than in those with other respiratory allergic diseases. ALA and BLG were the main allergenic components detected in CM-sIgE-sensitized children with respiratory allergic diseases.

The Molecular Allergen Recognition Profile in China as Basis for Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy

“…In the last ten years several studies have been performed to identify relevant allergen sources in the Chinese area. We have summarized in Table 2 studies performed by skin testing with allergen extracts, IgE serology using allergen extracts or by questionnaires (24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36). Table 2 indicates the regions where the studies had been performed, the climate prevailing in the region, what subjects (e.g., general population, patients with allergic symptoms, etc.)…”

A study of allergen detection panel in Guangzhou, southern China based on real-world data from the past 7 years

“…Interestingly, > 38% of patients are polysensitized, and majority of patients were co-sensitized to both D. farina and D. pteronyssinus; C. pagurus , P. monodon , and B. germanica ; or milk and egg whites. In previous studies, we reported an extensive cross-reaction between D. farina and D. pteronyssinus 11 ; C. pagurus , P. monodon , and B. germanica 12 ; milk and egg whites 10 , 13 . Thus, we can test positive for one of the above allergens and then easily deduce that the patient is also positive for the others 14 , 15 .…”

“…Moreover, A. alternata was also one of the five main allergens in children aged < 14 years. This may be attributed to different lifestyle and physiological conditions of people with different age 10 . Therefore, age is an important factor to consider when establishing or selecting the panel of allergen detection.…”