Edible Insects and Allergenic Potential: An Observational Study About In Vitro IgE-Reactivity to Recombinant Pan-Allergens of the Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) in Patients Sensitized to Crustaceans and Mites

Given their nutritional features and environmental sustainability, black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae are currently being considered in Europe for commercialization as human food. The primary goal of this study is the determination of in vitro IgE-cross-reactivity to recombinant tropomyosin (HITPM) and arginine kinase (HIAK) of H. illucens in subjects sensitized to crustaceans and/or mites. Dot blot assays for recombinant HITPM were carried out with the sera of 48 subjects, 30 sensitized to crustaceans (Cr+) and/or house dust mites (HDM+) (STUDY group) and 18 non-sensitized (CTRL group). A higher rate of IgE-reactivity to recombinant HITPM was found in the STUDY group compared to non-sensitized controls (73% vs. 44%; p 0.066). No significant relationship was achieved upon dot blot assays for HIAK. No relevant association between a positive history of food reactions and immunoreactivity to HITPM and to HIAK was reported (15% in HITPM+ vs. 6% in HITPM-, p NS; 28% in HIAK+ vs. 50% in HIAK-, p NS), contrary to the HITPM+Cr+HDM+ subset (50% vs. 0%, p 0.022). Considering the wide overlap of pan-allergens within the Arthropoda phylum, concerns about allergenic potential due to the eventual consumption of H. illucens-enriched foods might be valid. Therefore, targeted studies involving basophil activation tests, skin prick tests, and a double-blind placebo-controlled oral food challenge using H. illucens are needed.