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Updated: Mar 28, 2026
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Application of Biochip Microfluidic Technology to Detect Serum Allergen-specific Immunoglobulin E sIgE
Published on: April 21, 2019
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Interpreting IgE sensitization tests in food allergy
Niti Y Chokshi1, Scott H Sicherer1
1a Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy Immunology , Elliot and Roslyn Jaffe Food Allergy Institute , New York , NY , USA.
Expert Review of Clinical Immunology
|December 16, 2015
Summary
Food allergy testing using IgE serum assays is common but not always diagnostic. Careful interpretation with clinical history is key for accurate food allergy diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Rising prevalence of food allergies necessitates accurate diagnostic tools.
- Immunoglobulin E (IgE) testing is frequently used to assess food allergies.
- Current IgE tests show high sensitivity but limited specificity for clinical allergy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diagnostic utility of IgE serum tests in food allergy.
- To emphasize the importance of clinical correlation in interpreting test results.
- To discuss advancements in food allergy diagnostic methodologies.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on food-specific IgE testing.
- Analysis of sensitivity and specificity of IgE assays and skin prick tests.
- Discussion of component-resolved diagnostics and predictive cutoff values.
Main Results:
- Food-specific IgE tests are sensitive indicators of sensitization but not definitive for clinical allergy.
- Clinical history and epidemiological data are crucial for accurate diagnosis.
- Established cutoff values aid in interpreting results for common allergens in atopic children.
Conclusions:
- IgE testing is valuable for food allergy diagnosis when interpreted with clinical context.
- Component-resolved diagnostics offer potential for improved diagnostic accuracy.
- Rational selection and interpretation of IgE tests remain essential.
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