Monomorium pharaonis ant: identification of new inhalant allergens and characterization of its major allergens

초록

Rationale: Our previous investigations demonstrated that Monomorium pharaonis ant (pharaoh ant) could represent an indoor inhalant allergen source. This study was performed to confirm IgE-binding components and major allergens within the pharaoh ant antigens. Methods: Patients with bronchial asthma or allergic rhinitis were enrolled in this study. To identify IgE-binding components and major allergens, IgE ELISA and inhibition ELISA, IgE immunoblotting, 2-dimensional PAGE and N-terminal amino acid sequencing were performed. Finally, allergen-bronchial challenge tests were performed for the clinical confirmation of pharaoh ant allergy. Results: About 15% of patients with respiratory allergy showed both positive skin reactivity and specific IgE to pharaoh ant. The inhibition ELISA assays indicated that pharaoh ant allergens had various pattern of cross-reactivity to house dust mite, cockroach, and other ant allergens from Solenopsis species. Two important IgE-binding components (32 and 10 kDa) were identified as major allergen of pharaoh ant, and N-terminal amino acid sequence of 32 kDa allergen was determined. Finally, pharaoh ant-bronchial challenge tests were conducted for 10 patients, and nine patients showed typical pattern of asthmatic reactions. Conclusions: These results suggest that pharaoh ant antigens are important inhalant allergens. Two major allergens (32 and 10 kDa) were identified, and the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 32 kDa major allergen was determined.