УДК: 577.27:616-056.3:613.287.5]-053.3
Introduction. Cow’s milk protein allergy is an urgent problem in pediatrics and aff ects from 0.5% to 3% of infants under one year. IgE-dependent form is present in 60% of children with cow’s milk protein allergy and occurrence of symptoms is usually observed from several minutes to several hours from the time of allergen consumption. Molecular diagnostics opens many new opportunities for diagnosing diff erent forms of allergy and prognosticating effi cacy of treatment.
Purpose. To assess the eff ectiveness of molecular diagnostics in children with cow’s milk allergy in diff erent therapeutic tactics.
Materials and methods. Inclusion criteria of the investigation: children from six month to three years old, positive skin test to milk (papule ≥3 mm with prick method) and specifi cIgE to milk ≥0.35 kUa/L in the serum, positive oral provocation test (OPT). The children had clinical changes associated milk consumption. The research did not include patienwith anaphylaxis in anamnesis, present severe concomitant or autoimmune diseasescontraindications to OPT. All 60 patients and their parents or custodians gave written consent to participation in the investigation. Assessment of a molecular profi le was performed for detecting major components of milk (Bos d 8 – casein, Bos d 5 – β-Lactoglobulin, Bos d 4 α-lactalbumin), minor (Bos d 6 – bovine serum albumin) and cross-reactive ones with serum albumin (Fel d 2 – felis domesticus allergen 2, Can f 3 – canis familiaris allergen 3).
Results. The study cohort consisted of 60 cow’s milk allergic patients, randomized into two groups, compared based on age (p=0.88) and gender (p=0.3).
Analysis of a molecular profi le of milk components permitted to detect the highest indices in the group of major molecules: Bos d 4 (2.10 kUa/L in specifi c oral tolerance group and 2.00 kUa/L in elimination diet group), Bos d 8 (1.90 kUa/L and 1.55 kUa/L respectively) and Bos d 5 (0.85 kUa/L and 1.60 kUa/L respectively). A skin prick test papule diameter had a statistically signifi cant correlation with sIgE to milk (r=0.51) and Bos d 8 (r=0.44). Bos d 8 had a statistically signifi cant correlation with papule diameter (r=0.44), as well as with Сan f 3 (r=0.39) and Bos d 4 (r=0.28). Bos d 6 had a statistically signifi cant correlation with Fel d 2 (r=0.64) and Can f 3 (r=0.44). The obtained data confi rm that bovine serum albumin indicates cross-reactivity with animals, particularly a cat and a dog. The children were observed for three years.
Conclusions. 1.Assessment of a molecular profi le is important for diagnosis and treatment of cow’s milk protein allergy irrespective of a choice of therapeutic tactics – specifi c oral tolerance induction or elimination diet. Identifi cation of individually signifi cant food allergens makes it possible to determine individual indications and contraindications for oral provocation test and select the most appropriate treatment, in particular, specifi c oral tolerance induction as a disease-modifying immunotherapy. 2. Cow’s milk protein allergy is basically accompanied by the presence of major molecules, in particular α-lactalbumin (Bos d 4), casein (Bos d 8) and β-lactoglobulin (Bos d 5). 3. Casein (Bos d 8) is a major thermostable component of cow’s milk protein and has a statistically signifi cant positive correlation with a papule diameter (r=0.44), Сan f 3 (r=0.39) and Bos d 4 (r=0.28). 4. Bovine serum albumin (Bos d 6) is a minor component of milk and has a statistically signifi cant positive correlation with Fel d 2 (r=0.64) and Can f 3 (r=0.44), which indicates crossreactivity with animals, particularly a cat and a dog.