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Cross‐reactivity of Anisakis simplex : possible role of Ani s 2 and Ani s 3
Author(s) -
Guarneri Fabrizio,
Guarneri Claudio,
Benvenga Salvatore
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2006.03091.x
Subject(s) - anisakis simplex , cross reactivity , allergy , immunology , allele , genetics , biology , human leukocyte antigen , medicine , gene , cross reactions , antigen , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery
Background Anisakis simplex is a fish parasite that can cause allergy in humans. The multiple cross‐reactivities of this nematode make diagnostic tests for allergy unreliable, because of frequent false‐positive results. To date, only four allergens of A. simplex have been characterized, but their role in cross‐reactivity is largely unknown. Methods We performed an amino acid sequence homology analysis, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) criteria, to identify allergens likely to be cross‐reactive with Ani s 2 (paramyosin) and Ani s 3 (tropomyosin) of A. simplex . Next, within segments shared by Ani s 2 or Ani s 3 and homologous proteins, we searched for the occurrence of binding motifs of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles (DRB1*1502, DQB1*0601, or DRB1*0404) known to be genetic risk factors for the development of allergy to A. simplex . Results We identified a number of proteins belonging to various organisms, which are significantly similar to (and therefore are likely to cross‐react with) Ani s 2 and Ani s 3. The presence of binding motifs of HLA DRB1*0404 in Ani s 2, Ani s 3, and homolog proteins also supports our hypothesis. Conclusions Our results provide a possible molecular explanation of some cross‐reactivities reported for A. simplex , and suggest additional ones.