Recognizing
the great need for this type of user-friendly diagnostic support for
physicians and laboratory managers, DPC is pleased to provide it.
Produced in collaboration
with Dr. Henri Malandain (Vannes, France), DPC's newly released CD,
entitled "Investigating Crossreactions of Allergens," contains a unique
database designed for investigating allergen crossreactions.
Allergen
classification by molecular family
The study of
allergic rhinitis has revealed that multiple sensitizations are
often linked to a taxonomic relationship between the plants or animals
to which the patient is reacting (for example, Festuceae/Oleaceae).
Nevertheless, some multiple sensitizations such as birch-apple syndrome
cannot be explained solely by taxonomic relationships. Since a close
relationship between allergenic products has not been able to explain
the cause of the multiple sensitizations observed in these syndromes,
research has been directed toward the molecules constituting these
products. It is hypothesized that a molecule having the same physiological
role can be found in different products, inducing multiple sensitizations.
Tremendous progress has been made during the last ten years; more
than 1000 molecules have been identified as allergens, and more
than 400 have been officially recognized by the International Union
of Immunological Societies (I.U.I.S.). In light of this research,
allergens are now being classified on the basis of their molecular
families (proteins that share the same physiological function and/or
the same three-dimensional structure/domain), rather than by taxonomic
data. By analyzing the scientific literature, Dr. Malandain has
created a database identifying molecules responsible for crossreactions.
The listing also indicates to which family each molecule belongs.
In the laboratory,
the investigation of crossreactions is often performed by immunoblot
techniques. Coupled with inhibition protocols, immunoblots detect
proteins that different allergens share in common, facilitating
the identification of crossreactions.
DPC's AlaBLOT
products* include ready-to-use immunoblots, available for most common
allergens. The new crossreactions CD, used in conjunction with AlaBLOT,
is a valuable resource for the investigation and analysis of crossreactions.
The CD "Investigating
Crossreactions of Allergens" (catalog number: ZS1268CD) and additional
information regarding DPC's AlaBLOT products can be obtained by
contacting your local DPC representative.
* In the US
sold as analyte-specific reagents.
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