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Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology2024; 35(6); e14177; doi: 10.1111/pai.14177

Advancing diagnostic precision: Unveiling sensitization relationships between cat, dog, and horse allergen molecules.

Abstract: Recent advancements in molecular diagnostics have unveiled a multitude of allergen molecules (AMs) associated with animal sensitizations, revealing significant cross- and co-sensitization patterns among these seemingly distinct allergens. Methods: We investigated the sensitization profiles of 120 children, sensitized to at least one of the 14 AMs from cat, dog, or horse using the Alex test, employing correlations and hierarchical clusters to explore relationship between sensitizations. Results: Sensitizations to Fel d 1, Can f 4/5, and Equ c 4 differ from other cat, dog, and horse AM sensitizations, suggesting they may represent genuine sensitizations for their respective animals. High correlations were observed among various AMs, including lipocalins (Can f 1/2/6, Fel d 4/7, and Equ c 1), serum albumins (Fel d 2, Can f 3, and Equ c 3), and uteroglobins (Fel d 1 and Can f_Fd1). Hierarchical clustering of sensitizations identified two similarity clusters and one dissimilarity cluster, providing an estimation of the likelihood of cross-reactivity. Additionally, our method facilitated speculation regarding cross-, co-, or genuine sensitization. Moreover, we noted a potential increase in the number and level of sensitized animal AMs concurrent with increased sensitization to other aeroallergens with advancing age. No significant difference was detected for the presence or absence of various types of allergic comorbidities. Conclusions: Correlations and hierarchical clustering can unveil the extent and magnitude of cross-, co-, and genuine sensitization relationships among animal AMs. These insights can be leveraged to enhance artificial intelligence algorithms, improving diagnostic accuracy through the integration of other measures of sensitization.
© 2024 The Author(s). Pediatric Allergy and Immunology published by European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2024-06-17 PubMed ID: 38881167DOI: 10.1111/pai.14177Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study examined the intricate sensitization patterns among allergen molecules from cats, dogs, and horses in children.
  • It aimed to identify which sensitizations are genuine and which represent cross- or co-sensitization, thereby improving the precision of allergy diagnostics.

Introduction

  • Advancements in molecular diagnostics have broadened the understanding of allergen molecules (AMs) connected to animal allergies.
  • Cat, dog, and horse allergens can trigger allergic sensitizations that may overlap due to similarities among their allergen molecules.
  • Understanding these relationships is important for precise allergy diagnosis and better management strategies.

Study Objectives

  • Investigate the sensitization profiles in children allergic to at least one of 14 AMs derived from cats, dogs, or horses.
  • Identify patterns of cross-sensitization (where sensitization to one allergen molecule triggers reaction to another similar molecule), co-sensitization (multiple independent sensitizations occurring together), and genuine sensitization (specific to a particular animal).
  • Use statistical tools such as correlations and hierarchical clustering to better understand these relationships.

Methodology

  • 120 children, all sensitized to at least one allergen molecule from cat, dog, or horse, were included in this study.
  • The ALEX test (a multiplex allergy diagnostic assay) was employed to measure sensitization to 14 allergen molecules.
  • Data analysis involved:
    • Correlation analysis to detect relationships between sensitizations to different AMs.
    • Hierarchical clustering to group similar sensitization profiles and to distinguish clusters indicative of different sensitization types.

Key Findings

  • Sensitizations to certain allergen molecules—Fel d 1 (cat), Can f 4/5 (dog), and Equ c 4 (horse)—differed from other sensitizations and likely represent genuine, species-specific reactions.
  • Strong correlations were found within groups of allergens belonging to specific protein families:
    • Lipocalins: Can f 1/2/6 (dog), Fel d 4/7 (cat), Equ c 1 (horse) showed high correlation, suggesting cross-reactivity.
    • Serum albumins: Fel d 2 (cat), Can f 3 (dog), and Equ c 3 (horse) were highly correlated, pointing to structural similarity-induced sensitization overlap.
    • Uteroglobins: Fel d 1 (cat) and Can f_Fd1 (dog) also exhibited strong correlations.
  • Hierarchical clustering revealed two similarity clusters and one dissimilarity cluster of AMs, aiding in estimating the likelihood of cross-reactivity versus independent sensitization.
  • The approach enabled speculation on whether sensitizations were cross-reactive, co-sensitizations, or genuine, enhancing understanding beyond traditional methods.
  • It was observed that as children aged, the number and intensity of sensitizations to animal AMs tended to increase alongside sensitization to other airborne allergens, although the presence of allergic comorbidities (such as asthma or rhinitis) did not significantly differ among groups.

Implications and Conclusions

  • The combined use of correlation analysis and hierarchical clustering provides a powerful tool to dissect the complex relationships among animal allergen molecules.
  • This detailed molecular insight helps distinguish true sensitizations from those caused by cross-reactivity, reducing diagnostic ambiguity.
  • These findings can support the development of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that integrate molecular sensitization data to improve diagnostic accuracy for animal allergies.
  • Such enhanced diagnostics may enable more personalized allergy management by accurately identifying the specific allergen sources responsible for a patient’s symptoms.
  • Overall, this study contributes to advancing diagnostic precision in allergy medicine through molecular and computational approaches.

Cite This Article

APA
Sekerel BE, Aliyeva G. (2024). Advancing diagnostic precision: Unveiling sensitization relationships between cat, dog, and horse allergen molecules. Pediatr Allergy Immunol, 35(6), e14177. https://doi.org/10.1111/pai.14177

Publication

Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
ISSN: 1399-3038
NlmUniqueID: 9106718
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 35
Issue: 6
Pages: e14177

Researcher Affiliations

Sekerel, Bulent Enis
  • Division of Pediatric Allergy, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Aliyeva, Gulnar
  • Division of Pediatric Allergy, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.

MeSH Terms

  • Dogs
  • Animals
  • Allergens / immunology
  • Cats / immunology
  • Child
  • Horses / immunology
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Male
  • Hypersensitivity / diagnosis
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Adolescent
  • Cross Reactions / immunology
  • Infant
  • Immunization
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Gromek W, Kołdej N, Kurowski M, Majsiak E. Furry Animal Allergy: Lipocalins, Serum Albumins, and Secretoglobins-Cross-Reactivity, Diagnosis, and Management Strategies.. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2025 Jul 30;68(1):75.
    doi: 10.1007/s12016-025-09086-7pubmed: 40739451google scholar: lookup
  2. Özdemiral C, Konuralp I, Sekerel BE. Serum albumin sensitization in children with cow's milk allergy: Clinical relevance to red meat reactions.. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2025 Jul;36(7):e70157.
    doi: 10.1111/pai.70157pubmed: 40708118google scholar: lookup
  3. Liang L, Hwang AR, Shin YJ, Jeong KY, Park KH, Lee JH, Park JW. Fel d 1 specific IgE measurement for dog exclusive owners co-sensitized to dog and cat.. World Allergy Organ J 2024 Dec;17(12):101007.
    doi: 10.1016/j.waojou.2024.101007pubmed: 39698163google scholar: lookup
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