IgE ‐Binding Components in Fungi and Parasites: From Infection Severity to Allergy and Allergy Protection: An EAACI Position Paper

Information from the abstract

Human exposure to fungi and parasites (helminths, protozoa and ticks) can lead to the development and/or exacerbation of allergic/atopic diseases due to the production of IgE antibodies to components from these organisms. However, some of these IgE-binding components are not currently listed in the official Allergen Nomenclature Database of the World Health Organization/International Union of Immunological Societies (WHO/IUIS) Allergen Nomenclature Sub-Committee. The aim of the Task Force (TF) BACALL (including members from this Sub-Committee and four additional groups/committees) was to identify in the literature (PubMed up to October 2025) potential allergens from fungi and parasites and their reported clinical relevance, for possible future inclusion in the WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Database according to Sub-Committee criteria. Forty-nine IgE-binding proteins from fungi and parasites were identified as potential allergen candidates. The IgE-binding oligosaccharide α-Gal was excluded because it is not proteinic, although it is associated with allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. Exposure to helminths outside the context of infection, such as ingestion of Anisakis-infected fish or vaccination against hookworms, can also elicit allergic reactions. The TF recommends that non-conventional routes of exposure be considered in the identification of new allergens, and that future studies assess the clinical relevance of new allergens identified by the TF in larger populations.

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Related topics: Allergic Rhinitis and Sensitization · Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Research · Asthma and respiratory diseases