Alergenus

Alergenus is a proposed, informal taxonomic concept used in immunology and allergology to group substances that can provoke allergic responses in humans. It is not an official rank in any biological classification, and it does not imply shared ancestry or molecular similarity. Instead, alergenus emphasizes functional allergenicity—the capacity of a substance to trigger IgE-mediated reactions and to exhibit cross-reactivity in sensitized individuals.

The alergenus concept would categorize diverse allergenic sources—pollen, foods, insects, metals, drugs—based on clinical reactivity and cross-reactive potential rather than traditional taxonomic or source-based criteria. Criteria might include allergenicity thresholds, cross-reactivity patterns, and common epitopes. Because many allergens arise from unrelated organisms, alergenus would be a pragmatic grouping used to map risk, guide diagnostics, and inform immunotherapy research.

As a nonstandard idea, alergenus lacks formal definition in taxonomic codes or regulatory guidelines. It has appeared in theoretical or speculative discussions to facilitate cross-domain dialogue about allergenicity, but it is not universally adopted. Its use can cause confusion with established allergen naming and classifications, such as individual allergen components and allergen families (for example, Bet v 1).

If used judiciously, the concept could support data integration in public health risk assessment and personalized allergy management by linking allergen sources by function rather than by source alone. Critics argue that nonformal constructs may obscure mechanistic understanding and hinder standardization across laboratories and regulatory bodies.