Immunoglobulin E Antibodies against Budgerigar and Canary Feathers

Abstract

In 212 sera from budgerigar and canary fanciers with symptoms of rhinitis and/or bronchial asthma, IgE antibodies against budgerigar feathers (Budf) or canary feathers (Canf) were determined. In 25 of 98 Canf-specific IgE antibody measurements, and in 28 of 154 Budf-specific IgE antibody measurements, a significant (6% or more binding of ¹²⁵I-anti-IgE) level of specific IgE was found. In 3 sera with the highest levels of Canf- or Budf-specific IgE, IgE antibodies against sera from both birds were present. It is concluded that IgE antibodies against canary and/or budgerigar feathers are present in about 20% of canary and budgerigar fanciers with symptoms of atopic disease. Canary and budgerigar feathers contain IgE-binding antigens that are not present in the corresponding bird sera and droppings.

Different Pattern of IgE Binding to Chicken Egg Yolk between Patients with Inhalant Allergy to Birds and Food-Allergic Children

“…When IgE against serum from a specific bird is detected in serum from a patient, IgE against many other bird sera can be found [4,5,10]. Figures 1 and 2 show a closely related pattern of IgE binding to the 3 bird sera, suggesting a close relationship between the allergens in these sera.…”

“…For 2 patients sera (No. 3 and 4 in table 1), IgE binding to budgerigar and canary scrum proteins and to chicken egg yolk has been documented before [5]; IgE binding to par rot serum for 2 other patient sera (No. 1 and 2 in table 1) has been de scribed elsewhere [10].…”

“…Specific igF. against budgerigar, canary and parrot serum and against chicken egg yolk were determined as described previously [5,10], using agarose beads as allergen support [11]. IgE against chicken egg white was esti mated by using allergen discs or CAPs according to the manufacturer's (Pharmacia) instructions.…”

“…In 1985, we and others [4,5] described patients with an IgE-mediated bronchial allergy to birds; whenever IgE against bird serum could be demonstrated, IgE against chicken egg yolk was also present [4,5]. The patient, de scribed by de Maat-Bleeker et al [4], not only experienced respiratory symptoms to birds but also urticaria and angioedema after ingestion of eggs.…”

Clinically Significant Cross-Reactivities among Allergens

“…The cross-reactivity between chicken egg yolk and caged bird serum proteins [3][4][5] is perhaps not completely unexpected, but yet has clearcut practical implications: egg yolk sensitivity without egg white sensitivity in an adult strongly suggests an allergy towards caged birds. This might be an example where an inhalant allergen in duces an allergy towards foods.…”