title: Challenges for allergy diagnosis in regions with complex pollen exposures.
abstract: Over the past few decades, significant scientific progress has influenced clinical allergy practice. The biological standardization of extracts was followed by the massive identification and characterization of new allergens and their progressive use as diagnostic tools including allergen micro arrays that facilitate the simultaneous testing of more than 100 allergen components. Specific diagnosis is the basis of allergy practice and is always aiming to select the best therapeutic or avoidance intervention. As a consequence, redundant or irrelevant information might be adding unnecessary cost and complexity to daily clinical practice. A rational use of the different diagnostic alternatives would allow a significant improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic patients, especially for those residing in complex pollen exposure areas.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Applied Molecular Medicine (IMMA) School of Medicine, Universidad CEU San Pablo, 28668, Madrid, Spain, domingo.barberhernandez@ceu.es.
authors.forename: Domingo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: Araceli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Díaz-Perales
authors.forename: Mayte
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Villalba
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chivato
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens