Sensitisation to Lepisma saccharina (silverfish) in children with respiratory allergy

ABSTRACT

Background: Lepisma saccharina (silverfish) is a common insect which is often found in human dwellings. Our aim was to determine the IgE antibody pattern to this arthropod in children with allergic respiratory symptoms. Methods: The individual sera and a pool of selected sera of 45 children with asthma and/or rhinitis were used for an immunoblotting test with an extract of Lepisma saccharina; an immunoblotting inhibition test was performed with extracts of L. saccharina, D. pteronyssinus and cockroach. Results: Between one and ten IgE binding bands were found in the sera of patients. The immunoblotting pattern was clearly different from that of D. pteronyssinus. Inhibition was found with D. pteronyssinus and cockroach, which proves cross-reactivity between extracts. Conclusion: Allergenicity of Lepisma is demonstrated through in vitro tests. A pathogenic role stillre mains to be proved, but it should be considered inrespiratory allergy, due to primary sensitisation to Lepisma, or to cross-reactivity with other indoor allergens

RESUMEN

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