Reactivity of IgE and IgG antibodies to human collagen type I in children with bovine gelatin allergy

Abstract Rationale This study was designed to investigate IgE and IgG reactivity to human collagen type I in bovine gelatin-sensitive children. Gelatin consists in collagen type I, which is a major allergen in gelatin allergy. Methods We collected serum samples from 50 patients with immediate-type allergic reactions to the vaccines and specific IgE to bovine gelatin, and from 50 children as a negative control with no reaction to the vaccines. The IgE and IgG reactivities to human collagen in serum samples were analyzed by ELISA. The cross reactivity between bovine and human collagen was analyzed by ELISA inhibition with the IgE in the serum samples. Results All 50 patients who had immediate-type allergic reactions to the vaccines had anti-bovine collagen IgE. Also, most of them showed IgE and IgG reactivity to human collagen type I. The IgE and IgG reactivity to human collagen was completely inhibited by bovine collagen. As a negative control, 50 children with no reaction to the vaccines had no specific IgE to bovine and human collagen. The levels of specific IgE and IgG in patients were significantly higher as compared with those in children with no reaction to the vaccines. Conclusions The IgE and IgG in sera of patients who had immediate-type allergic reactions to the vaccines reacted with human collagen and there is a cross reactivity between bovine and human collagen.