On the one hand, the diagnosis of allergies has reached unprecedented efficacy in our time. On the other hand, miracle methods do not reach us, ordinary people immediately and not always. Hard to get.
Judge for yourself, we learned about ISAC allergy test not so long ago, but still not all allergists know about it. And who knows, reluctantly recommends and decrypts with difficulty.
This analysis gives a complete picture of the development of allergies. Effective treatment is impossible without it.
Not so long ago, in a good clinic, from an allergist, I heard – prick test is a very good diagnostic method. And about the ISAC allergy test (Allergen Chip), we don’t know and don’t want to know.
ISAC allergy chip is a molecular allergy diagnostic test. It was developed by the professor of allergology at the University of Vienna Rudolf Valenta.
Just imagine, before the creation of the ISAC allergy test, allergists could only find out if there is an allergy or not.
But the allergen is not a simple substance, it contains a lot of proteins. And we need to know exactly which allergen protein the immunity triggers the reaction to.
If we know the right protein, we can predict the success of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) and determine the sources of the cross-reaction. For example, similar proteins contain birch pollen and apples.
Prick tests uses allergen extracts, they cannot show a reaction to each specific protein. Such tests provide a minimum of information and allergists have to prescribe treatment almost blindly, relying only on their experience.
ISAC allergy test checks the sensitivity of the allergic immune system to 112 proteins out of 51 allergens. And all this is one drop of blood from a finger (the test does not lose information even if it is done on dried blood). Impressive, isn’t it.
Having donated one drop of blood, the allergic will receive a multi-page document that a competent allergist will be able to decipher and draw the appropriate conclusions.
The analysis results show which proteins are major (major) in an allergic reaction. Which proteins are responsible for the cross-reaction – will be secondary (minor).
This is very important information, since only major proteins can be treated with allergen immunotherapy AIT. AIT against minor proteins is pointless.
Finally, I will answer several popular questions.
What is the difference between ISAC test and immunoCAP?
The official name of the analysis is immunoCAP ISAC. ISAC allergy test is the name of the analysis, and immunoCap is the research method.
Laboratories offer to pass both the ISAC allergy test and the immunoCAP analysis separately. Hence the confusion arises.
ISAC allergy test is a complex (112 components, 51 allergen) analysis, during which allergens are decomposed into proteins. As a result, we see the reaction of the body to each protein separately.
Using the immunoCAP method, one can separately investigate the reaction to proteins of one or two allergens. Or, at the molecular level, diagnose a true allergy.
At what age are ISAC allergy test prescribed?
ISAC test can be prescribed even to a baby. There are no age limits for analysis.
When is an ISAC allergy test prescribed?
- To confirm the diagnosis of true allergies;
- If you suspect a true food allergy;
- To find out the cause of anaphylactic reactions;
- To establish the cause of an allergic reaction;
- Find possible cross-reactions;
- Find out the risk of severe reactions to allergens;
- Find out the goals of AIT (which allergen we will treat);
- For determination of major and minor proteins;
- To predict the result of AIT;
- To predict the risk of asthma.
ISAC allergy test (Allergy Chip) can be performed during the flowering of trees – allergens and with an exacerbation of allergies. The results of the analysis are not affected by the intake of antihistamines and hormonal drugs, hormonal ointments and other drugs.
When it makes no sense to take an ISAC test?
Testing does not make sense for gastrointestinal allergies, for chronic urticaria, and for atopic dermatitis (in most cases).
What does the analysis result look like?
A couple of pages of our study, for example:
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