Interní Med. 2005; 7(11): 492-495

Allergy of digestive tract

MUDr. Bronislava Novotná

Interní gastroenterologická klinika FN MU, Alergologie, Brno

Incidence of food allergy (FA) is a worldwide problem and it appears to be on the increase. FA affects 2–4% of adults and 6–8% of infants under 3 years of age. FA are averse immunological reactions on food that might be due to IgE or non-IgE mediated immune mechanisms. Food allergens according to sensibilisation ability are dividend to class 1 with sensibilisation by oral route (e.g. milk, egg, peanut, fish) and class 2 (e.g. birch) with sensibilisation by inhalation. Diagnosing of food allergy is establish by history, skin prick tests and or in vitro tests (measurement of food-specific IgE antibodies in patient’s blood sample). It is followed by elimination and challenge tests. Endoscopy and biopsy are definitive approach for diagnosing non-IgE gastrointestinal disorders. Allergen avoidance is the mainstay of therapy. Patient with food anaphylaxis should be given self-injectable epinephrin and antihistamines in emergency set. Systemic corticosteroids are effective in treating chronic IgE and non-IgE mediated gastrointestinal disorders. Standard allergen immunotherapy was not successful and therefore other immunotherapeutic strategies are under investigation (e.g. anti-IgE antibodies). Prevention depends on education about food allergen avoidance and also on early recognition of allergic symptoms. Changing foods to produce hypoallergenic may help patients in future.

Keywords: Key words: food allergy, IgE and non IgE mechanism, prick tests, specific IgE, elimination and challenge test.

Published: January 1, 2006  Show citation