title: The value of mucosal allergen challenge for the diagnosis of food allergy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The incidence of food allergy is increasing. Correct diagnosis is dependent on food challenges, which are not always performed, but more often based on history, skin prick test and specific IgE, leading to possible misdiagnoses. Mucosal provocation tests have been proposed as possible new diagnostic tools during recent decades.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The databases EMBASE, PUBMED and Cochraine Review were used. Seven full text articles fulfilled criteria for mucosal challenge and food allergy, only one from the last 12 months. Conjunctival, nasal, buccal, gastric and coecal/rectal mucosa have been challenged. All authors find mucosal changes after challenge, but the lack of validation against double-blind placebo-controlled challenges makes evaluation difficult, with the exception of the conjunctival provocation test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As most mucosal surfaces are easily available, and small amounts of allergen are needed for an obvious reaction, this tool for diagnosing food allergy is promising. Further studies are however needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Oestfold Hospital Trust, Fredrikstad, UIO, UMB, Norway. bkvenshagen@gmail.com
authors.forename: Bente K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Kvenshagen
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jacobsen
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000276:immunology*; D005502:Food / Q000009:adverse effects; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007159:Immunologic Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens