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Mercurialis annua: characterization of main allergens and cross-reactivity with other species

A Vallverdú1, P García-Ortega, J Martínez

  • 1IFIDESA-ARISTEGUI, Bilbao, Spain.

International Archives of Allergy and Immunology
|April 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

High sensitization to Mercurialis annua pollen affects nearly half of pollen-allergic patients in Spain. Key allergens identified are profilins, with low cross-reactivity to other common pollens.

Area of Science:

  • Allergy and Immunology
  • Plant Science
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Mercurialis annua (annual mercury) is a common plant in Spain.
  • Pollen sensitization to M. annua is a potential cause of allergic respiratory diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of M. annua pollen sensitization in Spain.
  • To identify and characterize the major allergenic components of M. annua pollen.

Main Methods:

  • Multicentric study involving 420 pollen-allergic patients across six Spanish hospitals.
  • Skin prick tests (SPT) for M. annua sensitization.
  • SDS-PAGE immunoblotting and affinity chromatography for allergen identification.
  • In vitro techniques to assess cross-reactivity.

Main Results:

  • 46.4% of pollen-allergic patients showed positive SPT to M. annua.
  • Two major allergens, profilins (15.8 and 14.1 kD), were identified in 59% and 51% of sensitized individuals, respectively.
  • Low antigenic cross-reactivity was observed between M. annua and pollens from Olea europaea, Fraxinus elatior, Ricinus communis, Salsola kali, Parietaria judaica, and Artemisia vulgaris.

Conclusions:

  • M. annua pollen sensitization is highly prevalent in Spain.
  • Profilins are the primary allergens in M. annua pollen.
  • Cross-reactivity with other pollens is limited, suggesting M. annua as a specific allergen source.

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