Allergogram

The allergogram serves to identify the main, intermediate and minor allergens. For this purpose, the proteins of an extract are separated electrophoretically. They are then transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane and incubated with allergenic serum. During this process the IgE antibodies bind to the allergenic proteins. This allergen-IgE complex is made visible by adding radio-isotope or enzyme-labelled anti-IgE antibodies. An extract is tested with at least 20 patient sera. Those proteins that are recognized by more than 50% of allergy sufferers are considered the main allergen.