Novel in vitro diagnosis of equine allergies using a protein array and mathematical modelling approach: a proof of concept using insect bite hypersensitivity.
Abstract: Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a seasonal recurrent skin allergy of horses caused by IgE-mediated reactions to allergens present in the saliva of biting insects of the genus Culicoides, and possibly also Simulium and Stomoxys species. In this work we show that protein microarrays containing complex extracts and pure proteins, including recombinant Culicoides allergens, can be used as a powerful technique for the diagnosis of IBH. Besides the obvious advantages such as general profiling and use of few microliters of samples, this microarray technique permits automation and allows the generation of mathematical models with the calculation of individual risk profiles that can support the clinical diagnosis of allergic diseases. After selection of variables on influence on the projection (VIP), the observed values of sensitivity and specificity were 1.0 and 0.967, respectively. This confirms the highly discriminatory power of this approach for IBH and made it possible to attain a robust predictive mathematical model for this disease. It also further demonstrates the specificity of the protein array method on identifying a particular IgE-mediated disease when the sensitising allergen group is known.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2015-06-27 PubMed ID: 26163936DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2015.06.013Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Allergies
- Bioinformatics
- Clinical Study
- Culicoides
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Epidemiology
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Immunoglobulin E
- Immunology
- In Vitro Research
- Insect Bite Hypersensitivity
- Laboratory Methods
- Mathematical Model
- Predictive Model
- Protein
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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This study presents a new way to diagnose equine allergies like Insect Bite Hypersensitivity (IBH) using a protein microarray method combined with mathematical modelling. The method proved highly accurate and specific in identifying IBH.
Understanding Insect Bite Hypersensitivity
- Insect Bite Hypersensitivity (IBH) is a recurring seasonal skin allergy seen in horses, triggered by allergic reactions to certain substances present in the saliva of biting insects.
- The primary troublemakers are biting insects belonging to the genus Culicoides, along with possibly Simulium and Stomoxys species as well.
- The allergic reaction is an IgE-mediated response, meaning immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in the horse’s immune system recognize and respond to these allergens.
The Protein Microarray Technique
- The study utilizes a protein microarray for diagnosing IBH, which consists of both complex extracts and pure proteins, such as the recombinant allergens from Culicoides.
- The method is advantageous due to its ability for general profiling, minimal sample requirement, automation capabilities, and the opportunity to create mathematical models.
- A mathematical model can provide individual risk profiles that would be clinically helpful in diagnosing allergic diseases.
Mathematical Modelling & Diagnostic Accuracy
- The variables that influence the projection (VIP) were selected for this study.
- The protein microarray technique demonstrated a sensitivity (true positive rate) and specificity (true negative rate) of 1.0 and 0.967 respectively, showcasing an extremely high discriminatory power for IBH diagnosis.
- This revealed the potential to develop a robust predictive mathematical model for IBH.
Specificity of Identification
- The technique also emphasizes the specificity of identifying a certain IgE-mediated disease when the group of sensitising allergens is known.
- Essentially, this method can help accurately detect and diagnose allergic reactions to insect bites in horses by specifically recognizing the associated allergens.
Cite This Article
APA
Marti E, Wang X, Jambari NN, Rhyner C, Olzhausen J, Pérez-Barea JJ, Figueredo GP, Alcocer MJ.
(2015).
Novel in vitro diagnosis of equine allergies using a protein array and mathematical modelling approach: a proof of concept using insect bite hypersensitivity.
Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 167(3-4), 171-177.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2015.06.013 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health, University of Bern, Switzerland. Electronic address: eliane.marti@vetsuisse.unibe.ch.
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research, University of Zürich, Davos, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research, University of Zürich, Davos, Switzerland.
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.
- School of Computer Sciences, Advance Data Analysis Centre (ADAC), University of Nottingham, Jubilee Campus, Nottingham, UK.
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Allergens
- Animals
- Case-Control Studies
- Ceratopogonidae / immunology
- Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horses
- Hypersensitivity / diagnosis
- Hypersensitivity / immunology
- Hypersensitivity / veterinary
- Immunoglobulin E / blood
- Insect Bites and Stings / diagnosis
- Insect Bites and Stings / immunology
- Insect Bites and Stings / veterinary
- Male
- Mathematical Concepts
- Models, Immunological
- Protein Array Analysis
- Skin / immunology
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