Return to Contents in this Issue

Original Article
 

Identification of Clinically Relevant Cross-Sensitization Between Soliadgo virgaurea (Goldenrod) and Hevea brasiliensis (Natural Rubber Latex).
 

SN Bains,1 RG Hamilton,2 S Abouhassan,1 D Lang,1 Y Han,3 FH Hsieh1,3

1Department of Allergy and Immunology, Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
2Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
3Department of Pathobiology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2010; Vol. 20(4): 331-339
 

 Abstract


Background: Solidago virgaurea (goldenrod) is a perennial weed from which no allergens have been identified. A high latex content in its leaves has been reported. Although not an airborne allergen, it may be an important occupational sensitizer.

Objective: To identify allergenic proteins in goldenrod and to determine whether they cross-react with Hevea brasiliensis latex.

Methods: Potential cross-reactive allergens in latex and goldenrod were investigated by immunoblot inhibition and ImmunoCAP inhibition analyses using serum from patients with clinically evident goldenrod and/or latex allergy. Cross reactivity between latex allergens and goldenrod proteins was studied using recombinant Hev b 1, 3, 4, 5, 6.01, 6.02, 8, 9, or 11 in ImmunoCAP inhibition analyses.

Results: Immunoglobulin (Ig) E antibodies from individuals with goldenrod allergy bound extracted goldenrod proteins ranging from 20 kDa to 130 kDa in Western blots. Evidence for latex and goldenrod cross reactivity was identified by ImmunoCAP and immunoblot inhibition experiments using serum from patients with strongly positive concomitant latex and goldenrod-specific IgE antibody responses. Observed latex-goldenrod cross reactivity could not be ascribed to any of the recombinant major latex allergens evaluated.

Conclusions: H brasiliensis latex and goldenrod contain cross-reactive and unique allergenic proteins. Exposure to goldenrod may sensitize patients to latex and vice versa.

Key words: Cross-reactivity. Hevea brasiliensis natural rubber latex. IgE. Occupational allergy. Solidago virgaurea (goldenrod).