title: [Determination of the tryptase level as diagnostic marker in food allergy in children].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  during food provocation the mast cell degranulates causing the elevation of serum tryptase.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  the aim of our work was to estimate if tryptase level is the efficient diagnostic marker in case of IgE dependent food allergy in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  the studied group (group I) consisted of 100 children (age 3-5 yrs) with IgE dependent food allergy confirmed by positive case history and allergy tests. The children presented an allergic reaction to one of the 3 most common food allergens - milk, egg and wheat flour proteins. Control group (group II) consisted of 31 healthy children. The open food provocation was performed only in the group I. Tryptase level was estimated before and 120 minutes after the food provocation. The FluoroEnzymeImmunoAssay method (FEIA) was used to assess the tryptase levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  baseline level of the tryptase in group I was significantly higher in comparison with group II. There was no significant difference between baseline level of the tryptase and level after the provocation. The decrease of the level of the tryptase after challenge was observed in 54% patients in group I. The increase of the tryptase level after the provocation was observed in 45% patients and in 1% patients the level of the tryptase was unchanged.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  1. tryptase levels are not an effective marker in diagnostic of IgE dependent food allergy in children with allergic reaction to one or more food allergens, 2. patients with IgE dependent food allergy may have elevated level of tryptase with no clinical manifestation.
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Klinika Pediatrii, Alergologii i Gastroenterologii, Collegium Medicum, ul. M. Skolodowskiej - Curie 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland. klped@cm.umk.pl
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Langer-Wójcik
authors.forename: Mieczysława
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Czerwionka-Szaflarska
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015387:Egg Proteins, Dietary / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014908:Triticum / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D053802:Tryptases / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D015415:Biomarkers; D015387:Egg Proteins, Dietary; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D053802:Tryptases