GASTROINTESTINAL MANIFESTATIONS OF FOOD ALLERGY: PATHOGENESIS, CLINICAL FORMS AND CLUES TO THERAPY

Abstract

Food allergies (fa), defined as an adverse immune response to food proteins, effect up to 3-5% of the popula- tion in westernized countries, and their prevalence appears to be rising. a variety of mechanisms underlie the allergic reactions, not all of them run through the IgE sensitisation. the absence of sIgE in peripheral circulation characterize a group of non-Ig-Emediated disorders, such as food protein-induced enterocolitis, enteropathy and prococolitis. In case of eosinophilic esophagitis, gastritis and enterocolitis IgE sensitization arises in nearly 50%, therefore these disorders are classified as mixed-type. In some cases of gastrointestinal fa local IgE production, when switching to IgE synthesis occurs only in one organ, have been proved. although systemic investigation of this phenomenon is still lacking. Immune inflammation coursed by food allergens can involve nearly all organs and systems. this review focuses on gastroenterological manifestations of food allergy, except of broad field of gluten intolerance that demands a separate thorough reviewing.