Precision Molecular Allergy Diagnostics
Revolutionizing Allergy Testing Through Advanced Techniques
About Allergies
What Are Allergies?
Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to normally harmless substances, known as allergens. These molecules trigger immune responses that can range from mild symptoms to severe reactions.
Prevalence of Allergies
- Children: Food allergies affect 5–10%, and inhalant allergies, such as asthma, impact 10–20%.
- Adults: Food allergies affect 2–3%, while inhalant allergies affect 20–30%. Venom allergies occur in approximately 3–5% of the population.
- Despite widespread belief, true food allergies are confirmed in only 1–6% of cases after thorough evaluation.
Common Allergens
- Food Allergens: Milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, wheat, soy, and fish.
- Inhalant Allergens: Pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold.
- Insect Venoms: Stings from bees and wasps.
Types of Allergic Reactions
- Allergic IgE reactions are type I hypersensitivity reactions1,4
- These reactions are mediated by IgE class immunoglobulins
- When exposed to an allergen (a molecule causing an allergic reaction) the body mounts an IgE mediated response
Figure showing the mechanisms that take place when an allergen triggers and IgE response.
Symptoms
- Mild: Sneezing, runny nose, atopic eczema itchy skin, or mild swelling.
- Severe: Asthma Shortness of breath, anaphylaxis, or gastrointestinal symptoms.
Diagnosing Allergies
Diagnostic Methods
- Traditional Methods: Skin prick tests and single allergen blood tests.
- Diagnostics: Advanced testing like ALEX² provides detailed insights into allergen sensitivities in a single assay.
Why Choose ALEX²?
- Precision: Identifies specific allergenic proteins with a single test.
- Comprehensive Panel: Analyzes 117 allergen extracts and 178 molecular allergens, making it the most extensive panel available.
- Enhanced Management: Results guide individualized treatment and immunotherapy.
Multiplex vs. Singleplex Testing
- Multiplex (e.g., ALEX²): Tests multiple allergens (295 allergens) simultaneously, offering a comprehensive sensitization profile with faster results.
- Singleplex: Tests one allergen at a time, requiring a stepwise approach.
ALEX² Allergen Summary (Concise List)
Grass Pollen
Bahia grass, Bermuda grass, Common reed, Perennial ryegrass, Rye, Timothy grass
Tree Pollen
Acacia, Alder, Arizona cypress, Ash, Beech, Cottonwood, Cypress, Elm, Hazel, Olive, Walnut, Silver birch
Weed Pollen
Annual mercury, Hemp, Lamb’s quarter, Mugwort, Nettle, Pigweed, Ragweed, Wall pellitory
Dander & Epithelia
Cat, Dog, Cattle, Goat, Horse, Rabbit, Sheep, Guinea pig, Mouse, Rat
Mites & Cockroaches
American house dust mite, European house dust mite, German cockroach, Blomia tropicalis
Moulds & Yeasts
Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cladosporium herbarum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Malassezia sympodialis
Insect Venoms
Honey bee, Common wasp, Paper wasp, Fire ant
Cereals & Seeds
Barley, Buckwheat, Corn, Millet, Oat, Rye, Sesame, Wheat, Pumpkin seed
Egg & Milk
Cow’s milk, Goat’s milk, Mare’s milk, Sheep’s milk, Camel’s milk, Egg white, Egg yolk
Fruits
Apple, Avocado, Banana, Cherry, Fig, Kiwi, Mango, Orange, Papaya, Peach, Pear, Strawberry
Legumes & Nuts
Almond, Brazil nut, Cashew, Hazelnut, Lentil, Macadamia, Peanut, Pistachio, Soy, Walnut
Meat
Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Pig, Rabbit, Turkey, Horse, Mealworm, House cricket
Seafood
Atlantic cod, Herring, Mackerel, Shrimp, Crab, Lobster, Salmon, Scallop, Squid, Tuna
Spices
Anise, Caraway, Mustard, Oregano, Paprika, Parsley
Vegetables
Carrot, Celery, Garlic, Onion, Potato, Tomato
Others
Baker’s yeast, Latex, Weeping fig
Clinical Applications
Food Allergies: Distinguishes between true allergies and intolerances.
Respiratory Allergies: Assesses allergens linked to asthma and rhinitis.
Insect Venom: Identifies triggers of insect-related allergic reactions.
Occupational Allergies: Diagnoses sensitivities to workplace allergens.
Idiopathic Anaphylaxis: Pinpoints unknown triggers of severe allergic reactions.
For Practitioners
Improves Accuracy: Differentiates genuine sensitization from cross-reactivity.
Guides Treatment: Helps tailor allergen immunotherapy and food avoidance strategies.
Supports Monitoring: Tracks changes in sensitization over time.
Enhances Cost-Effectiveness: Multiplex tests streamline workflows compared to traditional methods.
References
Dramburg et al. EAACI Molecular Allergology User’s Guide 2.0. Pediatr Allergy Immunol, 2023.
Baseggio Conrado et al. Global patterns in anaphylaxis due to specific foods. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 2021.
Levin et al. South African food allergy consensus document. S Afr Med J, 2014.
Janeway’s Immunobiology, 8th Edition.
On behalf of the Food Allergy Study Group (ATI). Guidelines for adult food allergy diagnostics. Clin Mol Allergy, 2015.