Early detection of anaphylaxis with ImmunoCAP

Allergic reactions can be serious and life-threatening. Prompt recognition of children and adults at risk is important and there are currently available diagnostic tests for this.

This was highlighted in a discussion during the recent 11th Biennial Convention of the Philippine Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (PSAAI).

Dr. Hae-Sim Park, board member of the World Allergy Organization, led the discussion on anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction triggered by food, medication, and insect stings.

Food items that have been implicated include shellfish, shrimp, oyster, celery, cheese sandwiches, pizza, wheat gliadin, eggs, peaches, grapes, chick peas, pears, poppy seeds, and snails.

Hae-Sim emphasized the need for a diagnostic work up to identify the causative agents of anaphylaxis.

The diagnostic tools that aid in identifying the causes of anaphylaxis consist of the standard skin prick test, and the more advance serum specific IgE measurement and if necessary, a challenge test. These tools are beneficial in recognizing anaphylaxis triggers, according to Hae-Sim.

ImmunoCAP is a specific IgE measurement tool found useful to anaphylaxis diagnosis. Among the various diagnostic tools used for allergen detection, ImmunoCAP Specific IgE blood test provides doctors the most accurate diagnosis of the allergen or allergy-causing substances for both children and adults.

Considered by many experts as a state-of-the-art tool in the detection of specific IgE, ImmunoCAP is the only allergy test that has received an approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration.

The ImmunoCAP system was developed by Sweden’s Phadia AB, the world leader in in-vitro IgE diagnostic research and product development.

For inquiries on allergy testing and ImmunoCAP, interested hospitals may call the exclusive local distributor, Trianon Diagnostics at 815-3239, 892-0723 or 24. Log on to www.phadia.com and learn more about the benefits of ImmunoCAP.