The role of food hypersensitivity in the pathogenesis of protracted forms of intestinal infections in infants

: Sensitization with food antigens and the status of the general and local immunological systems were examined in 31 children suffering from lingering intestinal infections which may be related to body sensitization with food antigens. The children of the first year of live manifested sensitization to cow's milk proteins most frequently, particularly to alpha-lactablumin and beta-lactoglobulin. The main criteria for laboratory diagnosis of food sensitization were blood eosinophilia, the presence of eosinophils in the feces, the presence of antibodies to food antigens, blood hypo- and dysimmunoglobulinemia. The treatment of lingering intestinal infections requires the use of etiotropic drug therapy, hypoallergenic dietetic management bearing in mind individual food intolerance, and the use of antihistaminic drugs.