Review

Mosquito Allergy: Immune Mechanisms and Recombinant Salivary Allergens
Zhikang Peng, F. Estelle R. Simons

Department of Pediatrics and Child Health and Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

Address of Corresponding Author

Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2004;133:198-209 (DOI: 10.1159/000076787)

  Key Words

• Mosquito allergy
• Recombinant salivary allergene
• IgE

  Abstract

Reactions to mosquito bites are immunological in nature, with the involvement of IgE-, IgG- and T lymphocyte-mediated hypersensitivities. Acquired desensitization to mosquito saliva may occur during childhood and adolescence or during long-term exposure to mosquito bites. Due to the lack of salivary preparations, allergic reactions to mosquito bites are underdiagnosed and undertreated. Recombinant mosquito saliva allergens with biological activity are being developed. These recombinant allergens will significantly improve diagnosis of mosquito allergy and eventually will also improve specific immunotherapy for patients with systemic reactions to mosquito bites.

Copyright © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Correspondence to: Dr. Zhikang Peng
Department of Pediatrics and Child Health
University of Manitoba, 532 John Buhler Research Centre
715 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 3P5 (Canada)
Tel. +1 204 789 3815, Fax +1 204 789 3937, E-Mail zpeng@ms.umanitoba.ca

  Article Information

Published online: February 11, 2004
Number of Print Pages : 12
Number of Figures : 10, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 95