IgE-based analysis of sensitization and cross-reactivity to yellow mealworm and edible insect allergens before their widespread dietary introduction
Abstract The European Commission authorized the use of dried yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor - TM) as a food ingredient under Regulation EU 2021/882. As TM emerges as an important allergen source, sensitization and allergy to TM in various populations need investigation. The aim of this study was...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83645-4 |
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| author | Majsiak Emilia Choina Magdalena Gromek Weronika Wykrota Julia Kozłowska Danuta Swadźba Jakub Cukrowska Bożena Kowal Krzysztof |
| author_facet | Majsiak Emilia Choina Magdalena Gromek Weronika Wykrota Julia Kozłowska Danuta Swadźba Jakub Cukrowska Bożena Kowal Krzysztof |
| author_sort | Majsiak Emilia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The European Commission authorized the use of dried yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor - TM) as a food ingredient under Regulation EU 2021/882. As TM emerges as an important allergen source, sensitization and allergy to TM in various populations need investigation. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of sensitization to TM before its introduction as a food ingredient in Poland, as well as checking the occurrence of co-sensitivity to TM and other invertebrate allergenic extracts and molecules. This analysis was performed using serum allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) results in 6,173 individuals using the ALEX2 test to detect sensitivity to TM and other related allergens. A total of 4.3% of the study population had sIgE to TM extract, with 0.7% of those individuals being mono-sensitized to TM. Sensitization to TM was most commonly associated with a positive response to house cricket and migratory locust allergens. sIgE antibodies against TM significantly more commonly (p < 0.001) co-occurred with sIgE against other invertebrate allergens. Patients with sIgE against TM were most likely sensitised to tropomyosins (49.1% of patients), Niemann-Pick C2 protein (43.8%), group 5/21 allergen (38.6%), class III chitinases (37.1%), and cysteine proteases (34.1%). Based on the serum asIgE levels to TM prior to this ingredient being introduced as a food in Poland, we hypothesised that this primary sensitization may be associated with invertebrate allergies. Our analysis showed that sensitisation to TM was most commonly associated with a positive reaction to house dust mites and shrimp tropomyosins. Therefore, we speculate that individuals allergic to shrimp should exercise caution when consuming foods containing TM. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-94f94da256af41ccb37a0abf4d81313d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-94f94da256af41ccb37a0abf4d81313d2025-01-12T12:23:06ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111310.1038/s41598-024-83645-4IgE-based analysis of sensitization and cross-reactivity to yellow mealworm and edible insect allergens before their widespread dietary introductionMajsiak Emilia0Choina Magdalena1Gromek Weronika2Wykrota Julia3Kozłowska Danuta4Swadźba Jakub5Cukrowska Bożena6Kowal Krzysztof7Department of Health Promotion, Faculty Health of Sciences, Medical University of LublinDepartment of Experimental Allergology and Immunology, Medical University of BialystokPolish-Ukrainian Foundation of Medicine DevelopmentMedical University of LodzDIAGNOSTYKA S.A.DIAGNOSTYKA S.A.Department of Pathomorphology, The Children’s Memorial Health InstituteDepartment of Experimental Allergology and Immunology, Medical University of BialystokAbstract The European Commission authorized the use of dried yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor - TM) as a food ingredient under Regulation EU 2021/882. As TM emerges as an important allergen source, sensitization and allergy to TM in various populations need investigation. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of sensitization to TM before its introduction as a food ingredient in Poland, as well as checking the occurrence of co-sensitivity to TM and other invertebrate allergenic extracts and molecules. This analysis was performed using serum allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) results in 6,173 individuals using the ALEX2 test to detect sensitivity to TM and other related allergens. A total of 4.3% of the study population had sIgE to TM extract, with 0.7% of those individuals being mono-sensitized to TM. Sensitization to TM was most commonly associated with a positive response to house cricket and migratory locust allergens. sIgE antibodies against TM significantly more commonly (p < 0.001) co-occurred with sIgE against other invertebrate allergens. Patients with sIgE against TM were most likely sensitised to tropomyosins (49.1% of patients), Niemann-Pick C2 protein (43.8%), group 5/21 allergen (38.6%), class III chitinases (37.1%), and cysteine proteases (34.1%). Based on the serum asIgE levels to TM prior to this ingredient being introduced as a food in Poland, we hypothesised that this primary sensitization may be associated with invertebrate allergies. Our analysis showed that sensitisation to TM was most commonly associated with a positive reaction to house dust mites and shrimp tropomyosins. Therefore, we speculate that individuals allergic to shrimp should exercise caution when consuming foods containing TM.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83645-4Yellow mealwormTenebrio molitorSensitization profileFood allergyComponent resolved diagnostics (CRD) |
| spellingShingle | Majsiak Emilia Choina Magdalena Gromek Weronika Wykrota Julia Kozłowska Danuta Swadźba Jakub Cukrowska Bożena Kowal Krzysztof IgE-based analysis of sensitization and cross-reactivity to yellow mealworm and edible insect allergens before their widespread dietary introduction Scientific Reports Yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor Sensitization profile Food allergy Component resolved diagnostics (CRD) |
| title | IgE-based analysis of sensitization and cross-reactivity to yellow mealworm and edible insect allergens before their widespread dietary introduction |
| title_full | IgE-based analysis of sensitization and cross-reactivity to yellow mealworm and edible insect allergens before their widespread dietary introduction |
| title_fullStr | IgE-based analysis of sensitization and cross-reactivity to yellow mealworm and edible insect allergens before their widespread dietary introduction |
| title_full_unstemmed | IgE-based analysis of sensitization and cross-reactivity to yellow mealworm and edible insect allergens before their widespread dietary introduction |
| title_short | IgE-based analysis of sensitization and cross-reactivity to yellow mealworm and edible insect allergens before their widespread dietary introduction |
| title_sort | ige based analysis of sensitization and cross reactivity to yellow mealworm and edible insect allergens before their widespread dietary introduction |
| topic | Yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor Sensitization profile Food allergy Component resolved diagnostics (CRD) |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83645-4 |
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