Api m 6 and Api m 10 as Major Allergens in Patients with Honeybee Venom Allergy.

BACKGROUND Component resolved diagnosis can be very valuable for the diagnosis and treatment of honeybee venom allergy (HVA) patients. Our aim is to study whether any of the allergens not included in the usual diagnostic platforms are relevant in our population. METHODS The allergenic sensitization profile of Spanish patients who suffered a systemic reaction after a honeybee sting and were diagnosed with HVA was studied by immunoblotting using raw autochthonous Apis mellifera venom obtained and characterized by SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry and with a commercial assay (ImmunoCAP). RESULTS Allergens described in the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) database were detected in the A. mellifera raw venom extract used, except Api m 12. Sera from 51 patients with a median age of 46.2 years (interquartile range 35.6-54.6) were analyzed. Api m 1 and Api m 10 were detected as major allergens (88.2% and 74.5% respectively) using ImmunoCAP. Moreover, Api m 6 (85.4%) was found by immunoblotting. CONCLUSION Api m 1, Api m 6 and Api m 10 are major A. mellifera venom allergens recognized in our population.