BACKGROUND: Understanding differences in sensitization profiles at the molecular allergen level is important for diagnosis, personalised treatment and prevention strategies in allergy. METHODS: IgE sensitization profiles were determined in more than 2800 sera from children in 9 population-based cohorts in different geographical regions of Europe; north (BAMSE (Sweden), ECA (Norway)), west/central (PIAMA (the Netherlands), BiB (UK), GINIplus (Germany)), and south (INMA Sabadell and Gipuzkoa (Spain) and ROBBIC Rome and Bologna (Italy)) using the MeDALL-allergen chip. RESULTS: Sensitization to grass pollen allergen, Phl p 1, and to major cat allergen, Fel d 1, dominated in most European regions whereas sensitization to house dust mite allergens Der p 1, 2 and 23 varied considerably between regions and were lowest in the north. Less than half of children from Sabadell which has a hot and dry climate were sensitized to respiratory allergens, in particular house dust mite allergens as compared to Gipuzkoa nearby with a more humid climate. Peanut allergen Ara h 1 was the most frequently recognized class 1 food allergen in Northern/Western Europe, while the fruit allergens Pru p 3, Act d 1 and 2 were prominent in Southern and Western/Central Europe. Ves v 5-sensitization dominated in North and West/Central Europe. CONCLUSION: We show regional, exposome and climate-dependent differences in molecular IgE-reactivity profiles in Northern, Western/Central and Southern Europe which may form a molecular basis for precision medicine-based approaches for treatment and prevention of allergy.
- Kiewiet, M. B. G.
- Lupinek, C.
- Vrtala, S.
- Wieser, S.
- Baar, A.
- Kiss, R.
- Kull, I.
- Melén, E.
- Wickman, M.
- Porta, D.
- Gori, D.
- Gehring, U.
- Aalberse, R.
- Sunyer, J.
- Standl, M.
- Heinrich, J.
- Waiblinger, D.
- Wright, J.
- Antó, J. M.
- Bousquet, J.
- van Hage, M.
- Valenta, R.
Keywords
- Allergen molecules
- Europe
- IgE-reactivity
- MeDALL chip
- exposome
- sensitization profile
