Recombinant allergens for diagnosis and therapy of allergic diseases.

A considerable number of cDNAs coding for allergens have been isolated and expressed. Structural and immunological similarities between recombinant allergens and natural allergens indicate that a sufficient panel of recombinant allergens can be produced for diagnosis and therapy of allergic diseases. Recent studies document the successful in vitro and in vivo determination of a patient's allergen profile (allergogram) with recombinant allergens and encourage the use of recombinant allergens for specific therapy.