Source: Dang TD, Tang M, Choo S, et al Increasing the accuracy
of peanut allergy diagnosis by using Ara h 2. J Allergy Clin
Immunol. 2012;129(4):1056-1063; doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2012.01.056.
See AAP Grand Rounds commentary by Dr. Sai Nimmagadda
(subscription required). Question: Among infants, does Ara h 2
antigen testing accurately diagnose peanut allergy? Question
type: Diagnosis Study design: Randomized controlled I just
finished a handful of peanuts (roasted, unsalted of course) and
count myself among the lucky folks who don't have peanut
allergy. For those that might have allergy, diagnosis has long
been plagued by lack of an easy, accurate means of diagnosis.
The gold standard is an oral food challenge (OFC), but this is a
costly and prolonged process that carries a risk of anaphylaxis.
This study of 200 children, half with OFC-positive peanut
allergy and half without, found that measurement of serum Ara h
2-specific IgE antibody was better than measurement of serum
whole peanut-specific IgE antibody (sIgE