Diagnostic value of the lymphocyte transformation test for non-IgE mediated food allergy

Methods We investigated 3 groups of patients for identifying the food hypersensitivity. 1. Group 60 patients with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) without a diagnosis of organic gastrointestinal disease. 2. Group 19 patients with atopic dermatitis, polysenzitization to inhalant, not to food allergens. 3. Group 6 infants (3-12 months old) with intestinal symptoms (bloody stool and abdominal distention) and positive elimination diet with cow’s milk. Control group -10 healthy non-atopic patients. We performed skin prick test (SPT) and the flowcytometric basophil activation test(BAT) with commercial extracts of wheat, rye flour, egg, milk and soy allergens Alyostal (Stallergenes) in all patients. Serum levels of milk, casein, wheat, rye flour, egg and soy specific IgE were measured by Immulite. The lymphocyte transformation test was performed with the same food allergens. Open food challenge test (OFC) was completed after 14 days of elimination diet.