Allergy is a condition in which the body responds abnormally to an allergen. This response can occur when the allergen enters the body through contact or ingestion. The causes of allergy can be multifactorial, including genetics, abnormality of the body to foreign antigens, and environmental factors. Allergic reactions after exposure to allergens, IgE-mediated release of histamine, and mediators from mast cells basophils result in clinical manifestations such as allergic rhino-conjunctivitis, asthma, atopic eczema, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Allergic reactions can vary in form, and severe reactions can lead to anaphylactic shock. IgE-allergy blood testing is one way to determine the cause of allergic reactions, which can lead you to avoid the allergens cause reactions.
IgE-mediated allergy blood tests and skin prick tests are most commonly used to identify allergy testing. ALEX-multiplex specific IgE profile can detect up to 295 allergens, including extract allergens that cause inhalation, food, insect venoms, latex, and molecular allergens.
What makes this test unique?
Multiplex specific IgE profile-ALEX 295 allergens can detect multiple allergen extracts/molecular allergens specific IgE in single test order, providing the most complete picture of the patient’s sensitization profile by using a macroarray based ELISA, quantitatively and included total IgE semi-quantitatively. The molecular components are highly purified proteins isolated directly from the allergen, enabling highly differentiated diagnostics. The test can pinpoint the precise trigger of allergy with individualized interpretation, thus facilitating risk assessment/risk management and therapy decisions.
For example, A patient has detected sensitization to peanuts and cow’s milk and positive results for peanut storage protein; Ara h1, Ara h2, and Ara h6, molecular allergens of milk; Bos d4, Bos d5, and Bos d8.
Peanuts, Allergic symptoms associated with peanut allergens range from oral allergy syndrome to severe anaphylactic reactions.
The peanut storage proteins Ara h1, 2, 3, and 6 are associated with clinical reactions up to severe anaphylaxis. The degree of cross-reactivity between peanut storage protein and Legumes, nuts, and seeds is low to moderate. Ara h1, 2, 3, and 6 are stable towards of heat and digestion. Traces of peanuts could trigger a severe reaction.
Cow’s milk, Allergic symptoms associated with milk include severe, anaphylactic reaction, gastrointestinal symptoms, and atopic dermatitis. Bos d4 and Bos d5 are heat labile, well cooked or baked milk will be tolerated by sensitized patients, Bos d8, and casein are stable to heat and digestion. The patient must strictly train to avoid the allergen source and prescription of an emergency kit (adrenalin autoinjection).
ALEX as a multiple molecular allergy test is an essential tool for patient management, the test allows differentiation between cross-reactions and multiple sensitizations, which is important for advising patients at risk of severe allergic reactions. The identification at the allergen molecular level allows the selection of patients for allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT), who most benefit from and improve prognosis, patient care, and better quality of life.
N Health provides Multiplex Specific IgE Profile with the following details:
Reference:
• www.thermofisher.com/diagnostic-education/dam/commercial/library-resources/Go_Molecular_The%20Basics_2021_Digital_v3.pdf
• Macroarraydx.com
• Hamilton, R.G.. (2008). Assessment of human allergic diseases. Clinical Immunology. 1471- 1484. 10.1016/B978-0-323-04404-2.10100-9.
• Harwanegg C, Laffer S, Hiller R, Mueller MW, Kraft D, Spitzauer S, Valenta R. Microarrayed recombinant allergens for diagnosis of allergy. Clin Exp Allergy. 2003 Jan;33(1):7-13. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.2003.01550.x. PMID: 12534543.
• Hiller R, Laffer S, Harwanegg C, Huber M, Schmidt WM, Twardosz A, Barletta B, Becker WM, Blaser K, Breiteneder H, Chapman M, Crameri R, et al; Microarrayed allergen molecules: diagnostic gatekeepers for allergy treatment. FASEB J. 2002 Mar;16(3):414-6. doi: 10.1096/fj.01-0711fje. Epub 2002 Jan 14. PMID: 11790727
• Sastre J. Molecular diagnosis in allergy. Clin Exp Allergy. 2010 Oct;40(10):1442-60. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2010.03585.x. Epub 2010 Aug 2. PMID: 20682003.
