In Vivo Studies In The Diagnosis Of Food Allergy - Selected Practical Aspects

Diagnosis of food allergy is often very difficult. Patients report numerous symptoms that are sometimes difficult to associate with a specific kind of food. Despite the development of immunological diagnostic methods, most importantly the increasing availability of component resolved diagnosis, in vivo tests, in particular oral challenge tests, are necessary to reliably assess the actual course of the patient's symptoms.Food challenges are time-consuming and often difficult to prepare. For this reason, other alternative diagnostic methods are being sought, such as various skin prick test modifications. These methods raise numerous controversies and doubts in clinicians. In particular many concerns are gathered with the diagnosis of IgE-independent reactions. Atopy patch tests raised hopes in this area, but it turned out that their specificity is limited and the interpretation of the result difficult.In this article we present practical aspects of conducting in vivo diagnosis in patients suspected of food allergies. Based on literature data and own observations, we explaine what are the limitations of in vivo diagnostic tests and how the patient's diagnostic procedure can be improved.