Kleine-Tebbe J, Heinatz A, Gräser I, Dautel H, Hansen GN, Kespohl S, Rihs HP, Raulf-Heimsoth M, Vater G, Rytter M, Haustein UF. Bites of the European pigeon tick (Argas reflexus): Risk of IgE-mediated sensitizations and anaphylactic reactions.
J Allergy Clin Immunol 2006;
117:190-5. [PMID:
16387605 DOI:
10.1016/j.jaci.2005.08.056]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2004] [Revised: 08/24/2005] [Accepted: 08/31/2005] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Local and systemic reactions can occur after bites of Argas reflexus (Argas), a soft tick parasitizing pigeons.
OBJECTIVE
Risk assessment of IgE-mediated sensitizations and systemic reactions after Argas bites.
METHODS
Case histories, skin prick tests (SPTs) with a whole-body extract of Argas containing major allergen Arg r 1, and common inhalants and specific IgE measurements were obtained from 148 subjects who had had Argas bites and 20 volunteers as a control group.
RESULTS
Systemic reactions (urticaria, angioedema, dyspnea, cardiovascular dysregulation, unconsciousness) were reported in 12 of 148 (8%); 146 of 148 (99%) had local reactions. Atopy was found in 37 of 146 (25%) with local reactions and 3 of 12 (25%) with systemic reactions. SPT to Argas was positive in 24 of 148 (16%) with a high proportion of atopics 10 of 24 (42%); specific IgE to Argas was detectable in 12 of 135 (8% of 148) with moderate concordance to systemic reactions. No positive SPT or specific IgE results to Argas were obtained in the control group. Immunoblotting of 23 sera revealed an IgE-binding protein in 19 of 23 sera (82%) at 22 kd, indicating a major allergen of Argas.
CONCLUSION
Severe anaphylactic reactions were infrequently (approximately 8%) found after bites of the soft tick Argas reflexus. Atopy is a risk factor for skin sensitizations to Argas, but not for systemic reactions after bites by Argas. Using a whole-body extract of Argas, diagnosis through SPT and specific IgE is hampered by false-negative and irrelevant positive results, particularly in atopy.
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