Developmental change of chironomid allergen during metamorphosis.

The development of allergen during metamorphosis of chironomids, Chironomus yoshimatsui and Tokunagayusurika akamusi, was studied by means of ELISA inhibition with pooled serum containing high titer of specific IgE to each adult midge. Extracts of C. yoshimatsui larvae and pupae did not inhibit the specific IgE antibody to adult C. yoshimatsui. Mature adult C. yoshimatsui extract had about 10 times more inhibitory substance than the young adult. Hemoglobin, however, was degraded during the metamorphosis as measured by spectrophotometry and HPLC. The inhibitory substance against specific IgE antibody to adult T. akamusi was identified as highest in female body, less in egg, and even less in wing, leg and male body. The size of the substance in egg and female body was estimated at greater than 500 kD of molecular weight.