Diagnostic markers of clinical allergy versus sensitisation to peanut

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Peanut allergy (PA) is particularly problematic since it is increasingly common in infants andchildren, may be life-threatening, frequently persists through adulthood and has a significant impacton children?s quality of life.The diagnosis of PA is based on a combination of a history of allergic reaction(s) to peanut andpositive allergy tests. However, this is not reliable because many patients have positive allergy testsand tolerate peanut whilst others have positive allergy tests and are peanut allergic. The only way toclarify this is by giving the child peanuts in oral food challenges (OFC). However, OFC are expensive,laborious and potentially dangerous, as they may induce allergic reactions.Our proposed research project aims to provide fundamental insights into the mechanisms ofallergy and tolerance and also to distinguish between peanut allergic children and those who havepositive allergy tests but tolerate peanut without the need for OFC.This project will improve allergy diagnosis, allowing for a more accurate distinction of allergicchildren among children with positive allergy tests, not only to peanut but also to other allergens. Byunderstanding why some children with positive allergy tests react and others do not, we maydevelop new definitive treatments for PA