State of the Art and Perspectives in Food Allergy (Part I): Diagnosis

Title:State of the Art and Perspectives in Food Allergy (Part I): Diagnosis

Volume: 20 Issue: 6

Author(s): Margriet Faber, Vito Sabato, Liene De Witte, Athina Van Gasse, Margo M. Hagendorens, Julie Leysen, Chris H. Bridts, Luc S. De Clerck and Didier G. Ebo

Affiliation:

Keywords: Food allergy, basophil activation test, component resolved diagnosis, food allergy diagnosis.

Abstract: IgE-mediated food allergy is a major and increasing health issue with significant impairment of quality of life and significant morbidity and mortality. It affects children, as well as adolescents and adults. This review focuses on novelties in the diagnosis of food allergy.

Correct diagnosis relies upon history supplemented by quantification of specific IgE (sIgE) antibodies and/or skin tests. Unfortunately, as these tests do not demonstrate absolute predictive values, controlled oral provocation tests are needed to confirm/exclude diagnosis. To a certain extent, novel in vitro diagnostics in the form of allergen component-based sIgE assays and flow-assisted quantification of in vitro activated basophils might help to discriminate between genuine allergy and merely sensitization. Furthermore they make it possible to establish individual risk profiles, to predict persistence of allergy, and facilitate therapeutic approach.

Cite this article as:

Faber Margriet, Sabato Vito, Witte De Liene, Gasse Van Athina, Hagendorens M. Margo, Leysen Julie, Bridts H. Chris, Clerck S. De Luc and Ebo G. Didier, State of the Art and Perspectives in Food Allergy (Part I): Diagnosis, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2014; 20(6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/13816128113199990046