Non-IgE antibody mediated mechanisms in food allergy.

Food sensitivity or intolerance is not necessarily based on the Type I allergic reaction. Non-IgE antibody reactions, complement-dependent reactions, enzyme deficiencies such as lactase and non-immunologic histamine release (such as with some sea foods) have been described. Even the detection of specific antibodies on their own does not necessarily indicate that a given symptom is due to that antibody. Food allergy nevertheless exists. It is important that those observers fortunate enough to see many cases document their observations carefully and eventually publish them for the education of their less fortunate colleagues. Is food allergy more common in infants and young children? What happens as they grow older? How often is atopic eczema due to food allergy? Why are some foods more likely to be implicated than others? Does a negative RAST result eliminate the diagnosis or a positive one confirm it? Until the answers to these and other questions are known, the mainstay of diagnosis will be the history, and that of treatment will be the elimination diet.