Gastrointestinal food hypersensitivity: symptoms, diagnosis and provocation tests.
As many as 25% of the general population in Western countries believe that they suffer from adverse reactions to food. However, the actual prevalence of food allergy is much lower. Food-induced allergic reactions cause a variety of symptoms including cutaneous, gastrointestinal and respiratory tract. Food allergy might be caused by IgE-mediated, mixed (IgE and/or non-IgE) or non-IgE-mediated (cellular) mechanisms. The clinical diagnosis is based on a careful history, laboratory findings (total and specific IgE), skin prick test, elimination diet and food challenges. New intestinal provocation tests have also been applied to pick up the allergic response of the duodenal mucosa by endosonography and external ultrasound. The management of food allergy continues to be a strict avoidance of the offending food item.
Arslan Lied
Gülen
G
Section of Gastroenterology, Institute of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. gulen.arslan@med.uib.no
D000485:Allergens; D003113:Colonoscopy; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004032:Diet; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006632:Histamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D015289:Leukotrienes / Q000378:metabolism; D008487:Medical History Taking; D012882:Skin Tests; D053802:Tryptases / Q000378:metabolism
D000485:Allergens; D016207:Cytokines; D015289:Leukotrienes; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D006632:Histamine; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein; D053802:Tryptases