European allergen extracts have at least 50% lower potency than US extracts

The most important allergen manufacturers are based in Europe and in the US. In some countries local products are also sold.

The aim of this study was to to determine total protein content and total specific IgE binding capacity or major allergen content of diagnostic extracts from European, US and Mexican origins for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt), Bermuda grass and cat (Fel d 1) (10,000 BAU/mL).

Total protein content of US reference extracts was higher than all other extracts.

Locally produced Mexican products were almost all below 1,000 BAU/mL.

Three diagnostic extracts from European manufacturers and from Mexican providers have a less than 50% relative potency compared to 10,000 BAU/mL of the US extracts. Locally produced Mexican extracts have much lower total protein content and specific IgE binding capacity.

References:
A comparison of in vitro potency between European and Mexican allergen extracts and US (CBER/FDA) reference extracts. Larenas-Linnemann D, Esch RE, Guidos-Fogelbach G, Rodriguez-Pérez N. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2010 Mar 23.

Diagnostic extracts of dust mite used in Europe and Mexico are less potent than those used in the United States. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20486333

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