Molecular Component-resolved Diagnostics in Allergy
1Casa di Cura Villa Montallegro, Genoa, Italy
2Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
3University of Campania, Caserta, Italy
4Charité – Berlin University of Medicine, Berlin, Germany
Molecular Component-resolved Diagnostics in Allergy
Description
The prevalence of allergic diseases is increasing worldwide. The diagnosis process for allergic diseases involves multiple tests, usually documenting sensitization. However, molecular diagnostics is fundamental in identifying real allergenic source materials, finding candidates for immunotherapy, observing phenotype risk in food allergies, and much more.
Current challenges in this research area include the identification of new allergenic molecules and defining functional and pathogenic roles. A key research area is respiratory allergies, the primary objectives being to define sensitization patterns in polysensitized subjects to better select candidates for allergen immunotherapy. In addition, it is helpful to investigate sensitization patterns in patients with respiratory and food allergies. The second main research area concerns food allergies, mainly investigating molecules involved in anaphylaxis and predictors of response to oral immunotherapy.
The aim of this Special Issue is to update our knowledge in this area. Therefore, the Special Issue is devoted to collecting articles that will present, discuss, and review the most recent findings in the field of molecular diagnostics in allergology. Original research and review articles are welcome.
Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:
- Impact of the geographical area on the molecular pattern for pollens
- Influence of geographical area on the molecular pattern for food allergens
- Relevance of specific molecule on asthma severity
- Definition of specific molecular profile for allergen immunotherapy prognostic role
- To define tolerance for a specific food
- Defining potential risk for food allergens
- Definition of molecular patterns in food pollen syndrome
- Changes in molecular pattern after pharmacological intervention
- Changes in molecular pattern after immunotherapy
- Prediction of response to immunotherapy
- Molecular studies of allergens and cross-reactivity among allergens
- Detailed molecular characterization of allergens