50 years of Dutch immunology--founders, institutions, highlights.

At the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Dutch Society for Immunology (DSI, de Nederlandse Vereniging voor Immunologie), this contribution deals with some highlights of 50 years of Immunology in the Netherlands. It narrates about the founders and first board members of the DSI, their institutes, progeny and patrimony, describes major centers of immunological activities, mentions key persons in the field, and touches upon some events dear to the Society and its members.

IgE binding to peanut components by four different techniques: Ara h 2 is the most relevant in peanut allergic children and adults.

Background: Several studies have analysed the diagnostic value of specific IgE (sIgE) for individual peanut allergens. However, little is known about the concordance between different techniques available in both children and adults.

Objective: To evaluate the value of individual peanut allergens by different techniques, i.

The diagnostic value of specific IgE to Ara h 2 to predict peanut allergy in children is comparable to a validated and updated diagnostic prediction model.

Background: A diagnostic prediction model for peanut allergy in children was recently published, using 6 predictors: sex, age, history, skin prick test, peanut specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE), and total IgE minus peanut sIgE.

Objectives: To validate this model and update it by adding allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and sIgE to peanut components Ara h 1, 2, 3, and 8 as candidate predictors. To develop a new model based only on sIgE to peanut components.

Tissue transglutaminase levels above 100 U/mL and celiac disease: a prospective study.

Aim: To investigate whether a tissue-transglutaminase antibody (tTGA) level ≥ 100 U/mL is sufficient for the diagnosis of celiac disease (CD).

Methods: Children suspected of having CD were prospectively included in our study between March 2009 and September 2011. All patients with immune globulin A deficiency and all patients on a gluten-free diet were excluded from the study.

Immunoglobulin G antibodies against deamidated-gliadin-peptides outperform anti-endomysium and tissue transglutaminase antibodies in children <2 years age.

To investigate the usefulness of deamidated-gliadin-peptides-antibodies in the diagnosis of celiac disease, serology was tested in 212 children suspected with celiac disease who had undergone a small-intestinal-biopsy. For deamidated-gliadin-peptides-antibodies, two kits were tested. Positive and negative predictive values for IgA deamidated-gliadin-peptides-antibodies using the Bindazyme-kit were 89% and 74%, while the Quanta-Lite-kit had values of 89% and 85%, respectively.