Cross-reactivity among ants
There is substantial cross-reactivity between different fire ant species
due to the high similarity of their major allergens PLA1 (Sol i 1) and
antigen 5 (Sol i 3). The less conserved minor allergens Sol i 2 and Sol
i 4 may harbor species-specific epitopes.61 Strong
cross-reactivity has also been reported between differentBrachyponera species.62 In contrast,
cross-reactivity within the genus Myrmecia is heterogeneous and
monosensitization to single species appears to be
common.29,63
Data concerning cross-reactivity between different ant genera are scarce
and controversial. SI is low between known ant venom phospholipases
(30-35%), while it is 50-60% for antigens 5 from Solenopsis(Sol i 3), Brachyponera (Pac c 3), and Dinoponera . Strong
cross-reactivity between Solenopsis invicta andBrachyponera sennaarensis (samsum ant), essentially due to
antigen 5, has been reported in one study64, whereas
no cross-reactivity was observed between Solenopsis andBrachyponera chinensis in another study.62Preliminary data revealed no evidence for cross-reactivity betweenMyrmecia and fire ant venom65 which is
consistent with the lack of antigen 5, PLA1, and Sol i 2/4-like proteins
in Myrmecia venom.66