Ige-mediated food allergy - current problems and future perspectives (review)

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Allergy and Immunology
• Pediatric Allergy

Background:

• Rising incidence and prevalence of food allergy (FA) observed over the past 10-20 years.
• Self-reported FA prevalence is 17.3%, significantly higher than the 0.9% confirmed by challenge.
• Eight major foods (cow's milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish) are primary causes of FA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of food allergy (FA) epidemiology, diagnosis, and management.
• To highlight the discrepancy between self-reported and confirmed FA prevalence.
• To discuss emerging therapeutic strategies like oral immunotherapy (OIT).

Main Methods:

• Review of recent epidemiological studies on FA prevalence.
• Summary of diagnostic methods including skin prick tests (SPT), specific IgE (sIgE), component-resolved diagnostics (CRD), and double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges (DBPCFC).
• Discussion of current and investigational treatment modalities.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in FA prevalence is suggested by recent studies.
• Clinical manifestations range from skin and gastrointestinal reactions to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
• Strict avoidance and emergency preparedness (epinephrine autoinjector) are current management cornerstones.

Conclusions:

• Exclusive breastfeeding for 4-6 months is recommended without maternal dietary restrictions.
• Oral immunotherapy (OIT) shows promise for desensitization but requires further research for long-term safety and efficacy.
• Continued research is essential to integrate novel therapies like OIT into mainstream FA care.