Five great food clusters of specific IgG for 44 common food antigens. A new approach to the epidemiology of food allergy

Background Studies with mouse models demonstrate 2 pathways of systemic anaphylaxis: a classic pathway mediated by IgE, FcεRI, mast cells, histamine, and platelet-activating factor (PAF) and an alternative pathway mediated by total IgG, FcgRIII, macrophages, and PAF. The former requiring fewer antigens and antibodies than the latter. The importance of the alternative pathway in humans is uncertain, but human IgG, IgG receptors, macrophages, mediators, and their receptors have appropriate properties to support this pathway if enough IgG and antigens are present [1].