ABSTRACT
Allergic sensitization occurs when food-specific IgE (sIgE) antibodies are produced by plasma cells that have differentiated from allergen-specific B lymphocytes. The sIgE antibodies bind to the surface of tissue mast cells and blood basophils, and on re-exposure to the food, antigenic proteins in the food bind to and cross-link these cell surface-bound sIgE antibodies, which triggers the release of symptom-causing mediators, such as histamine and leukotrienes. In the United States, prevalence estimates range from 1 to 10", and most are derived from self-report or parent report of Food Allergy (FA). Food Protein-Induced Allergic Proctocolitis (FPIAP) is the most common non- IgE mediated FA in the first months of life, characterized by blood-streaked stools in otherwise healthy, thriving infants. Skin Prick Tests (SPTs) are commonly used in the assessment of FA and aid in the identification of the culprit food allergens in IgE-mediated reactions.
