title: Detection and characterization of atopic allergens.
abstract: The aim of the research of atopic allergens is to gather knowledge in order to be able to identify and to characterize environmental allergens and to develop better allergen preparations for diagnosis and treatment of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity diseases. Allergens or allergen activity can be detected and characterized with several in vivo and in vitro methods. In vivo tests measure the biological allergen activity, which is the most important characteristic of allergen preparations. Chemical and some immunochemical methods do not directly measure allergen activity, unless human IgE antibodies have been utilized. Since all these methods have their advantages and disadvantages, more than one method would be favourable in characterization of an allergen or an allergen preparation.
authors.affiliation: Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mäkinen-Kiljunen
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E