Update on in vitro allergy diagnostics.

Component-resolved diagnostics (CRD) have become of growing importance in clinical investigation of IgE-mediated allergies. This review updates the current use of CRD in respiratory allergies (e. g. to pollen, animal dander, mites, latex), as well as in allergies to hymenoptera venom or in food allergies to plants (e. g. Bet v 1 homologues, lipid transfer proteins, storage proteins) or to animal-derived food allergens (e. g. milk, meat, fish). CRD may help to elucidate the clinical relevance of an allergic sensitization. In some cases, CRD may also be useful in predicting either severity of clinical reactions or the therapeutic effect of specific immunotherapy.