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Home  >  Popular Topics Extract Formulations Extract Formulations Allergen extracts are available in a variety of formulations. An extract’s formulation directly impacts the stability of the allergenic proteins in solution and therefore the shelf life of the product. The FDA has determined maximum expiration dates for each formulation based on the estimated loss of potency… read more

Use of Allergen Extracts  >  Mixing Allergens  >  Mixing Concerns: Cross-Reactivity & Proteolytic Enzymes Mixing Concerns: Cross-Reactivity & Proteolytic Enzymes Some patients who present as polyallergic may require treatment with a mixture of different clinically relevant allergens. In the United States, it is standard practice to mix multiple allergens into a single treatment vial. This is… read more

Cross-Reactivity Among Non-Plant Allergens While patterns of cross-reactivity are clear among many plants, this pattern may not be as obvious among other types of allergens. Cross-reactivity among mammalian or insect species is not well-defined. Certain allergenic proteins (e.g. albumin, lipocalin, tropomyosin) may contribute to cross-reactivity in some patients. Tropomysoin, for example, is a protein found… read more

Profilin & Pan-Allergens Cross-reactivity is often seen between unrelated species due to shared minor allergens such as Profilin. A minor allergen is an allergenic protein that has demonstrated clinical sensitivity in a minority of patients in a population. Common allergens that demonstrate clinical sensitivity across unrelated species are known as Pan-Allergens. Profilin is a structual… read more

Oral Allergy Syndrome Many common food allergens are

Cross-reactive

with unrelated (or distantly related) pollen allergens, such as Apple with Birch, or Melon with Ragweed. This is because they share evolutionarily conserved protein structures that have a similar function across species. For example, the major allergen, Bet v 1, found in Birch, is an essential… read more

Taxonomy – Trees Though trees tend to be more diverse than grasses or weeds, there still appears to be significant cross-reactivity between members of the same family and genus. Some cross-reactivity has even been demonstrated between the Betulaceae (Birch/Alder) and Fagaceae (Oak) families. The most regionally prevalent representative from each family and/or genus should be… read more

Taxonomy – Weeds Weeds tend to show significant cross-reactivity between members of the same family and genus. Regionally prevalent representatives from each family and/or genus should be considered in your diagnostic panel. read more

Taxonomy – Grasses Significant cross-reactivity exists between the members of the Pooideae subfamily. This group is also known as the Northern Pasture Grasses. A single member of this group, such as Timothy, or a mix, may suffice for diagnosis and treatment. Grasses such as Bermuda, Bahia and Johnson are referred to as Southern Grasses. These… read more

Latin Names & Major Allergens Since common names vary, the most precise description of a species comes from the Latin name. Latin names come in a specific format, with the name of the genus, or higher-level group, provided first and capitalized, followed by the species name, which is uncapitalized: Quercus alba = White Oak. “Quercus”… read more