PHENOTYPES OF FOOD ALLERGIES: CLINICAL HETEROGENEITY AND CURRENT APPROACHES TO DIAGNOSTIC VERIFICATION

  2. 2026
  3. PHENOTYPES OF FOOD ALLERGIES: CLINICAL HETEROGENEITY AND CURRENT APPROACHES TO DIAGNOSTIC VERIFICATION

Bubyr L. M.

PHENOTYPES OF FOOD ALLERGIES: CLINICAL HETEROGENEITY AND CURRENT APPROACHES TO DIAGNOSTIC VERIFICATION

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About the author:

Bubyr L. M.

Heading:

LITERATURE REVIEWS

Type of article:

Scientific article

Annotation:

Food allergy is now one of the leading causes of allergic and general medical conditions, due to a steady increase in the number of patients, both children and adults. The significant clinical importance of the condition is determined by a wide range of clinical manifestations – from localised skin symptoms to severe generalised reactions with the development of anaphylaxis. Verification of the diagnosis is often complicated by the clinical heterogeneity of various forms of food allergy, the combination of IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated mechanisms, as well as the limitations of traditional laboratory diagnostic methods. An additional problem in modern clinical practice remains both the underdiagnosis of clinically significant allergic reactions and the unjustified interpretation of positive test results as confirmation of food allergy in the absence of clinical manifestations. The aim of this study was to summarise current literature data on the pathogenetic mechanisms of food allergy development, the characteristics of its clinical phenotypes, and the properties of major food allergens, as well as to analyse current capabilities in laboratory, molecular and differential diagnosis in accordance with international guidelines. Particular attention is paid to current principles of a personalised approach to assessing the risk of severe allergic reactions and optimising patient management. This study analyses current scientific understanding of the role of genetic predisposition, epithelial barrier dysfunction, changes in the microbiome, and characteristics of the immune response in the development of food sensitisation. It examines in detail the clinical features of IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated reactions, as well as allergies to cow’s milk proteins, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and seafood. The current capabilities of skin testing, specific IgE determination, component-specific molecular allergy diagnostics and oral provocation tests in confirming the diagnosis and predicting the risk of anaphylaxis are highlighted. A comprehensive approach to the diagnosis of food allergy, taking into account the clinical picture, laboratory findings and individual sensitisation profile, allows for increased diagnostic accuracy, minimisation of the risk of severe allergic reactions and improved quality of life for patients. Promising areas of research include the refinement of molecular diagnostics, the personalisation of therapeutic strategies, and the optimisation of algorithms for the early detection of food allergy.

Tags:

children, food allergens, food allergy, molecular allergy diagnostics, oral food challenge

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Publication of the article:

«Bulletin of problems biology and medicine», 2026 Issue 2, 181, 36-42 pages, index UDC 612.3:616-056.3-071

DOI:

10.29254/2077-4214-2026-2-181-36-42

2026 Issue 2, 181
children food allergens food allergy molecular allergy diagnostics oral food challenge
27.05.2026
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