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Review
. 2016;25(7):210-218.
doi: 10.1007/s40629-016-0124-2. Epub 2016 Nov 2.

Allergens and molecular diagnostics of shellfish allergy: Part 22 of the Series Molecular Allergology

Andreas L Lopata  1 , Jörg Kleine-Tebbe  2 , Sandip D Kamath  3
Affiliations
Review

Allergens and molecular diagnostics of shellfish allergy: Part 22 of the Series Molecular Allergology

Andreas L Lopata et al. Allergo J Int. 2016.

Abstract

Shellfish belongs to "The Big 8" food groups causing allergy, which often does not outgrow during childhood. Shellfish is one of the main food allergens in adults and constitutes a diverse group of species subdivided into crustaceans and mollusks, which seem to include similar but also different allergens. Several pan-allergens are characterized in detail, including tropomyosin and arginine kinase, responsible for clinical cross-reactivity with other invertebrate allergen sources, embracing mites, insects, and parasites. Currently, at least seven different shellfish allergens have been identified, mostly from crustaceans. However, only three recombinant allergens are available for IgE-based routine diagnostic, including tropomyosin, arginine kinase, and sarcoplasmic Ca2+-binding protein. Other allergens include myosin light chain, troponin C, triosephosphate isomerase, and actin. This review summarizes the current advances on the molecular characterization of shellfish allergens, clinical cross-reactivity, and current diagnostic approaches for the management of this life-threatening disease.

Keywords: crustacean; mollusk – arginine kinase; prawn allergy; shellfish; tropomyosin.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Schematic classification of most commonly consumed shellfish species.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Graphical representation of immunological cross-reactivity among crustacean and mollusk sp cies as well as to mites, insects, and nematodes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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