New Roach Allergen Found

Scientists with ARS and cooperating institutions have isolated a high molecular weight cockroach allergen. Its discovery could help medical researchers devise improved diagnostic test kits for people allergic to the pests. In asthmatics, roach allergies are second only to those from dust mites. The new roach allergen is made of proteins shed in roach shells and other body parts. It is the largest roach allergen to be identified. The discovery came through a long-term joint project of ARS, Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. ARS scientists provided roach biological materials to ACHRI and FDA researchers, who isolated and cloned the protein’s genetic code. In tests by ACHRI, 17 of 22 people known to be sensitive to roach allergens were sensitive to the newly identified one. ARS scientists are developing a kit for determining distribution of roach allergens in dwellings. The cooperating scientists are working with the private sector to find ways to denature or eliminate the allergens.