Food allergies are common and increasing in prevalence, representing a major health concern in many countries around the world. In an effort to diminish the burden of food allergy, many research studies have focused on prevention, and recent findings have revolutionized the way we introduce allergenic foods in early life. We discuss the role of early allergenic food introduction and the value o...

The last two years have seen the publication of 3 major guidelines on the diagnosis and management of food hyper-sensitivity (FHS) [1–3]. These guidelines have highlighted important issues in dealing with those with FHS, primarily food allergies. Dealing with adults and children with food allergies requires the healthcare professional to have an understanding of the immune mechanisms involved i...

Thirteen food-allergic dogs were studied to evaluate the efficacy of feeding a commercially available egg and rice diet, intradermal skin testing, and serologic testing by ELISA for diagnosing and/or characterizing food hypersensitivity. Feeding of a home-cooked whole lamb meat and rice diet for 3 weeks, followed by challenge with each dog's regular diet, served as the standard for diagnosing f...

Serological tests for immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) against foods are persistently promoted for the diagnosis of food-induced hypersensitivity. Since many patients believe that their symptoms are related to food ingestion without diagnostic confirmation of a causal relationship, tests for food-specific IgG4 represent a growing market. Testing for blood IgG4 against different foods is performed with ...

We present two cases of Food Protein Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES), a non-IgE mediated food hypersensitivity. FPIES induces severe vomiting 1.5-to-3 hours post ingestion of the offending food, and may be associated with diarrhoea, hypovolemic shock and acidosis. Avoidance of that food will lead to resolution of symptoms and prevents further episodes.

DEFINITION OF FOOD ALLERGY — In this section, the terms "allergy" and "hypersensitivity" are used interchangeably to refer to an abnormal immunologic reaction to food. Such reactions can be mediated by IgE molecules directed against specific food proteins that activate mast cells and basophils, or can arise from other cellular processes involving eosinophils or T cells. (See "Clinical manifesta...

In vivo tests may be used for the diagnosis of allergy to iodinated contrast media (ICM); however, the tests do not provide definitive diagnosis and are associated with risks for patients. Diagnoses based on in vitro tests are limited, and there are almost no relevant studies. Herein, the authors examined involvement of allergic reaction from a multilateral standpoint in 39 patients suspected o...

The clinical diagnosis of hypersensitivity to the food dye tartrazine in 16 subjects correlated with levels of tartrazine-specific IgD antibodies determined by a solid phase radioimmunoassay inhibition test. This is the first study associating hypersensitivity to a low molecular weight chemical with an antibody response of the IgD class. There was little or no correlation between clinical sensi...

Allergic reactions to mannitol have been reported rarely, despite its widespread use as a drug and as a food excipient. This is the first case report in which oral mannitol induces an immediate type hypersensitivity as a drug excipient, in a 42 year old man affected by rhinitis to olive tree pollen. Unusual and undervalued risk factors for mannitol hypersensitivity are examined.

Between July 2008 and November 2010, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received 197 consumer reports of prolonged taste disturbances following consumption of pine nuts. Most consumers consistently reported a delayed bitter or metallic taste with foods beginning 4 to 48 hours after pine nut consumption. This bitter taste recurred with any food consumed, lasting on average 5 to 10 days. S...