IDENTIFICATION OF ALPHA-LIVETIN AS A CROSS-REACTING ALLERGEN IN A BIRD-EGG SYNDROME

We report the case of an atopic female patient who developed egg aller gy symptoms after acquiring a parrot. Previously, she never had any eg g allergy. Skin tests were positive to egg yolk, egg white, livetin, a nd mixed feathers. High levels of specific IgE were found for egg yolk , egg white, livetin, hen 2serum proteins, and feathers. Western blott ing showed a binding of IgE antibodies to a 66 Kd band in hen serum, l ivetin and feathers. We conclude that sensitization to avian proteins could induce egg allergy and that livetin is an important allergen in this cross-reactivity.