Allergenspecifik

Allergenspecifik, often rendered in English as allergen-specific, is a term used in allergy science to describe responses, tests, or therapies that are directed at a single allergen rather than at multiple triggers. The concept is central to precision approaches in diagnosis and treatment, where identifying the exact allergen can influence management decisions.

In diagnostics, allergen-specific testing measures immune responses to a defined allergen. Allergen-specific IgE blood tests quantify antibodies to particular substances (for example, peanut or cat dander). Skin prick or intradermal tests can assess reactivity to individual allergen preparations, and component-resolved diagnostics attempt to map sensitization to specific allergen components to distinguish true allergies from cross-reactivity.

In therapy, allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) seeks to modify the immune response to a chosen allergen, through gradual exposure by injections (subcutaneous) or oral/sublingual routes over months to years. ASIT can reduce symptoms for certain inhalant allergens, venom, or some food allergies, but it carries risks of adverse reactions and is not suitable for all patients or all allergens. Avoidance strategies and allergen labeling are practical components of allergen-specific management.

Limitations and challenges include variability in test performance, regional differences in allergen exposure, and the problem of cross-reactivity, which can confound interpretation. Proper diagnosis typically combines patient history with targeted allergen-specific tests and, when needed, specialist consultation. In the food and consumer-products industries, allergen specification and labeling require clear communication of which allergens are present or likely to cause reactions.