Diagnostically relevant single allergens from plant and animal source foods - an update

Over the past years, considerable progress has been made in the field of molecular allergology. Some new single allergens have been isolated from various sources of food allergens, and some of these single allergens are already available for routine allergy diagnosis, which results in a higher sensitivity and specificity of IgE determination. Furthermore, the underlying cause of a new disease entity delayed-type anaphylaxis has been found: galactose alpha-1,3-galactose, a disaccharide of mammalian meat. Now, meat allergy can be confirmed more frequently and does not have to be classified as idiopathic anaphylaxis so often. In addition, completely new allergens could be isolated: hydrophobic and lipophilic peanut allergens, the defensins and oleosins. With this, it might be possible to close a diagnostic gap, i.e., the allergens of the lipid fractions of oilseeds.