May 11, 2015
Advances in the Identification of Peanut Allergies!
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Peanut allergies have increased 18% from 1997-2007.
- The common laboratory skin and peanut specific IgE have a high sensitivity but low, resulting in many false positive results.
- A relatively new test can identify patients who are at highest risk of anaphylaxis to peanut allergy versus those who have just a sensitivity reaction.
- ImmunoCAP is a blood test that identifies the 5 proteins associated with peanut reactions.
- Ara h 1, Ara h 2, Ara h 3 and Ara h 9 are heat resistant proteins associated with potentially severe reactions, with Ara h 2 being the most important indicator of severe allergy.
- Ara h 8 is a heat liable protein that is most often found in people who have cross reactions to pollens and mild to no clinical peanut allergy symptoms.
- Sublingual therapy has been linked to reducing the risk of anaphylaxis in severely allergic patients.
Source: Mitchell D. Peanut Allergy Diagnosis: As Simple as Ara h 1,2, and 3. Consultant for Pediatricians. 2013; 347-351.