Recombinant allergens and diagnosis of grass pollen allergy
Olsen, E.; Mohapatra, S.S.
Annals of Allergy 72(6): 499-506
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-4738 PMID: 7515604 Document Number: 423412
SDS-PAGE analysis of 2 batches of Poa pratensis pollen extracts demonstrated considerable variation in allergen content of extracts, which affected quantification of specific IgE antibodies by different immunoassay procedures. Levels of IgE antibodies in human sera specific for a recombinant grass pollen allergen, rKBG8.3, were examined by immunoassay. Quantification of IgE antibodies specific for a single allergen could be used to discriminate sera of allergic individuals with respect to IgE specific for grass pollen in general. IgE binding of the recombinant allergen and the crude extracts of grass pollens were positively correlated. It is concluded that a single recombinant allergen or a combination of a few major recombinant allergens can substitute the crude extract for in vitro as well as in vivo diagnostic purposes.