Conjunctival provocation test in diagnosis of peanut allergy in children.

Background: Peanut allergy frequently causes severe allergic reactions. Diagnosis includes detection of IgE to peanuts in serum or by skin prick tests. While children may have allergic sensitization without having clinical peanut allergy, oral peanut challenge is often required for accurate diagnosis.

Effects of industrial processing on the immunogenicity of commonly ingested fish species.

Background: Food-processing techniques may induce changes in fish protein immunogenicity. Allergens from >100 fish species have been identified, but little is known on the effects of processing on fish protein immunogenicity.

Methods: IgE binding of sera of patients allergic to fresh and processed (smoked, salted/sugar-cured, canned, lye-treated and fermented) cod, haddock, salmon, trout, tuna, mackerel and herring and of hydrolysates based on salmon and whiting was investigated using immunoblot and inhibition ELISA.

Immunoglobulin E cross-reactivity between lupine conglutins and peanut allergens in serum of lupine-allergic individuals.

Background: Lupine is used increasingly in food products. The development of lupine allergy in peanut-allergic patients is believed to occur as a result of cross-reactivity between lupine and peanut proteins.

Objective: To investigate the degree of immunoglobulin (Ig) E cross-reactivity between allergens in lupine and peanut.

Allergenicity and antigenicity of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) proteins in foods.

Background: Fenugreek is an ingredient in Indian-style spiced foods. Reports of adverse reactions reflect a trend toward a more international cuisine. Fenugreek allergy has not been systematically investigated so far.