Food allergy testing, Allergy test Hong Kong, Allergy test macau

Latest generation IgE Component allergy test - CAAM FABER

The first generation of blood allergy test was invented in the 1970s. However, developing a blood test for allergies was challenging due to the small quantities of specific IgE antibodies found in the blood. In the first generation of allergy tests, allergenic extracts were bound to a solid phase and then incubated with a patient’s serum. IgE binding was detected using radioactive antibodies against anti-IgE. The quantity of the IgE can be determined by detecting the radioactivity. These RAST tests are only possible in specially equipped laboratories due to the use of radioactive materials.

The second generation generation tests involve measuring the degree of colour or the strength of the fluorescence to determine the quantity of bound anti-IgE antibodies. In this case, an enzyme molecule bound to anti-IgE antibodies can catalyse a change in colour, or a molecule that fluoresces when excited by a specific wavelength of light can be used. Quantification of bound anti-IgE antibodies can be determined by measuring the colour change or fluorescence strength

Recent developments in allergy blood testing include the use of molecular allergens. After 15 years of research, Faber, the latest generation of IgE allergy test, has screened out these non-allergenic molecular proteins. Thus, only the allergen molecules that release IgE and cause allergic reactions are tested, thereby greatly reducing false positive test results. Therefore, the latest generation has taken out those non-allergenic proteins, improving the overall test accuracy. Another recent development is the multiplex assay. The previous tests required a lot of blood samples and can easily bind with non-specific IgE, leading to false positive results. However, with the use of multiplex assay, the amount of allergens needed can be greatly reduced, thus lowering the cost of the test. It also allows more allergens to be tested with a given amount of blood sample. Faber allergy test employs nanotechnology and the latest generation multiplex assay, such that it can accurately measure total IgE level up to 45,000 IU/ml in blood serum

Why are eczema patients more fitted for CAAM Faber allergy test?

Eczema patients are more suitable for blood tests because the pre-existing eczema skin condition might affect and reduce the accuracy of a skin prick test.

For food allergy, allergens in food bind with IgE antibodies in blood, triggering the release of histamine by mast cells, causing allergic reactions. Taking peanut as an example, peanut has 17 different allergen molecules. Among which allergen molecules with a greater chance of causing severe allergic reactions include: Ara h 2 and Ara h 6. Other molecule such as Ara h 8 has a low risk triggering an allergic reaction. Therefore, allergen molecular test is very helpful for risk assessment of allergic reactions in patients with eczema.

In fact, there are over 600 allergens that can cause allergic reactions, of which around 300 are molds that can only be found in specific countries and regions. The latest IgE allergy test Faber can detect more than 200 clinically identified allergens, and it is already comprehensive and sufficient enough for eczema patients.