Anaphylaxis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Anaphylaxis, including details on food allergies, diagnosis, treatment, causes.

Bites of the European pigeon tick (Argas reflexus): Risk of IgE-mediated sensitizations and anaphylactic reactions.

Kleine-Tebbe J, Heinatz A, Gräser I, Dautel H, Hansen GN, Kespohl S, Rihs HP, Raulf-Heimsoth M, Vater G, Rytter M, Haustein UF

Division of Allergy, Occupational Dermatology and Environmental Medicine, Clinics and Outpatient Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. kleine-tebbe@allergie-experten.de

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.

Published 2 January 2006 in J Allergy Clin Immunol, 117(1): 190-5.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Anaphylaxis Research Today. All Rights Reserved.