Cross-reactivity is a relevant phenomenon in allergic disorders, it occurs when the immune system of an organism identifies structurally similar or biologically related proteins present in different substances as allergens.
It is possible to observe cross-reactivity phenomena between:
- foodstuffs and inhalants: download attachment
- between crustaceans, e.g., shrimps, lobster, crab, freshwater crayfish;
- between latex and food, e.g., bananas, avocados, kiwis;
- between peanuts and nuts or seeds.
Among the most common examples of cross-reactivity is that involving people allergic to birch pollen, who can experience allergic reactions even when they consume foods such as apples, pears or carrots. This is because the proteins in these foods are structurally similar to those in birch pollen.
What test should be performed to diagnose cross-reactivity?
Alex Test is currently the most complete allergy test on the market, based on microarray technology and allows the simultaneous analysis of 295 allergens, making it possible not only to identify the source of the allergy (food, pollen, mites) but also the specific allergenic protein involved.
Alex test is performed by means of a blood sample for which fasting is not necessary.
See the list of allergens analysed below:
Grass pollen
- Bahia Grass
- Red wheatgrass
- Reed marsh
- Perennial ryegrass
- Rye
- Timothy hay
Tree pollen
- Acacia
- Alder
- Arizona cypress
- Ash
- Beech
- American black poplar
- Cypress
- Date palm
- Elm
- Hazel
- London sycamore
Mountain cedar
Mulberry
Olive tree
Paper mulberry
White Birch
Japanese yew/ Sugi
Tree of Paradise
Walnut
Pollen
- Common mercorella
- Hemp (CBD)
- Hemp
- Common farinello
- Artemisia
- Nettle
- Amaranth
- Lanciuola Plantain
- Salsola
- Muraiola
Hair and Epithelia
- Cat
- Cattle
- Siberian hamster
- C Dog
- Dog, male urine (incl. Can f 5)
- Goat
- Guinea pig
- Horse
- Mouse
- Pig
- Rabbit
- Rat
- Sheep
Mites and Cockroaches
Flour mite
American cockroach
American house dust mite
Blomia tropicalis
Domestic dust mite
Blatella germanica
Domestic glycophagus
Lepidoglyphus destructor
Mould mite
Moulds and Yeast
- Alternaria alternata
- Aspergillus fumigatus
- Cladosporium herbarum
- Malassezia sympodialis
- Penicillium chrysogenum
- Common wasp venom
- Fire ant venom
- Bee venom
- Long-headed wasp venom
- Paper wasp venom
Cereals and seeds
- Barley
- Buckwheat
- Maize, cereals
- Cultivated rye
- Fenugreek seeds
- Millet
- Oats
- Poppy seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sesame
- Spelt
- Sunflower Seeds
- Wheat
Camel milk
Cow’s milk
Egg white
Egg yolk
Goat’s milk
Horse milk
Sheep’s milk
Apple
Avocado
Banana
Blueberry
Cherry
Fig
Grape
Kiwi
Mango
Melon
Orange
Papaya
Peach
Pear
Strawberry
Legumes and Nuts
- Almond
- Brazil nut
- Cashew
- Chickpea
- Green bean
- Hazelnut
- Lentil
- Lupin Seeds
- Macadamia Nut
- Pea
- Peanut
Pecan Nut
Pistachio
Soya
Walnut
Meat
- Beef
- Chicken
- Horse
- Domestic cricket
- Lamb
- Flour worm
- Migratory locust
- Pig
- Rabbit
- Turkey
Seafood
- Anisakis simplex
- Atlantic cod
- Atlantic herring
- Atlantic mackerel
- Black tiger prawn
- Brown/grey prawn
- Carp
- Common mussel
- Crab
- Lobster
- Nordic prawn/shrimp
- Oyster
- Salmon
- Scallop
- Shrimp mix
- Squid
- Swordfish
Thornback ray
Tuna
Clam
Spices
- Aniseed
- Cumin
- Mustard
- Oregano
- Paprika
- Parsley
Plants
Carrot
Celery
Garlic
Onion
Potato
Tomato
Other
- Brewer’s yeast
- Hom s lactoferrin
- Latex
Pigeon tick
Ficus benjamina
For research use only (RUO)
- Hamster
- Hazelnut
- Olive
- Peach
- Pistachio
Who is the Alex Test aimed at?
We recommend Alex tests in the presence of:
- rhinitis, breathing difficulties, conjunctivitis, irritation of the lips, mouth or palate;
- if there is a family history of allergies;
- to carry out allergy screening.
