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Allergens and Molecular Diagnostics of Shellfish Allergy

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Abstract

In recent years, there has been a steady growth in the production and consumption of shellfish due to its important role in human nutrition and health. This increased consumption has led to an increase in adverse health problems among consumers including immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic reactions. Approximately 2 % of the world population is affected by shellfish allergy, which includes the crustacean and mollusk groups. The allergenic proteins present in the shellfish group have variable primary structures and often present a challenge in allergen detection and diagnosis. The distinction of crustacean from mollusk is important from clinical point of view, as molecular cross-reactivity, particularly between crustaceans, seems to be determined by the close relationship to insects and mites. 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 Ca++-binding protein. Other allergens include myosin light chain, troponin C, triose-phosphate isomerase, and actin.

This chapter describes current information on shellfish allergy, the allergenic proteins involved, and diagnostic approaches.

This contribution is based on a publication by the authors that appeared in the Allergo Journal Int in 2016 (Lopata AL, Kleine-Tebbe J, Kamath SD. Allergens and molecular diagnostics of shellfish allergy. Allergo J Int. 2016;25:210–8. DOI: 10.1007/s40629-016-0124-2) and which has been updated and expanded as a chapter for this book.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molecular Allergy Research Laboratory, Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia

    A. L. Lopata PhD, Prof. & S. D. Kamath MD, Prof.

  2. Allergy and Asthma Center Westend, Outpatient Clinic Hanf, Ackermann and Kleine-Tebbe, Berlin, Germany

    J. Kleine-Tebbe PhD

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  1. A. L. Lopata PhD, Prof.
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  2. J. Kleine-Tebbe PhD
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  3. S. D. Kamath MD, Prof.
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Correspondence to A. L. Lopata PhD, Prof. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Professor of Dermatology and Allergology, Allergy and Asthma Center Westend Outpatient Clinic Hanf, Ackermann and Kleine-Tebbe, Berlin, Germany

    Jörg Kleine-Tebbe

  2. Professor of Dermatology and Allergology Chairman of the Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center Gießen and Marburg Campus Gießen Justus Liebig University Gießen, Gießen, Germany

    Thilo Jakob

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Lopata, A.L., Kleine-Tebbe, J., Kamath, S.D. (2017). Allergens and Molecular Diagnostics of Shellfish Allergy. In: Kleine-Tebbe, J., Jakob, T. (eds) Molecular Allergy Diagnostics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42499-6_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42499-6_21

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