A diagnostic approach to IgE-mediated food allergy: A practical algorithm

Abstract

A food reaction history is the basis of food allergy diagnoses. Several levels of food allergy diagnostic testing can confirm or refute the presence of food allergy. The choice of food allergy testing modality should be informed by the reaction history and determined by the testing goals. Testing modalities include skin-prick testing, in vitro specific immunoglobulin E testing, component-resolved testing, epitope threshold testing, and basophil activation testing. The goal of food allergy testing may be merely to confirm the diagnosis of food allergy or may be used to guide passive (avoidance) or active (allergen immunotherapy) management. The most appropriate diagnostic path should consider testing predictive value, the goal of the evaluation, patient and family food allergy anxiety, and cost. Peanut allergy testing provides an algorithm for testing pathways.