Every allergen source is a mixture. A pollen grain, mite body, food, venom, latex preparation, or animal dander extract contains multiple molecules with different abundance, stability, and clinical relevance.
Why extracts can be incomplete
Extracts are practical and clinically useful, but some molecules may be underrepresented, unstable, degraded, or masked. Molecular testing can sometimes detect relevant low-abundance or labile allergens more clearly, while also distinguishing genuine sensitisation markers from cross-reactive molecules.
Examples of source-to-component reasoning
Major pollen components may suggest primary sensitisation, while profilins or polcalcins may explain broad pollen positivity.
Storage proteins, PR-10 proteins, nsLTPs, and profilins can point to different stability and cross-reactivity patterns.
Marker allergens may help distinguish honey bee and yellow jacket sensitisation when extracts are double-positive.
Specific latex components and cross-reactive plant food proteins can support interpretation of latex-fruit patterns.
MAA teaching point
Source-level thinking tells us where to look. Component-level thinking helps explain what the immune system may be recognising.