EuroPrevall project to standardise food challenge methods

When diagnosing food allergy, double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) is the gold standard. Until now, variations in materials and protocols between centres has made it difficult to compare the results of these tests across multiple sites. Results of a EuroPrevall project to standardise materials and protocols for allergy diagnosis were recently published in the journal Allergy.

The project was successful in developing a low-dose DBPCFC protocol with eight titrated protein doses, using celeriac and hazelnut as examples, ranging from 3μg to 1g. The protein doses were incorporated into a microbiologically stable food base by three different manufacturing sites before being centrally distributed to clinical centres in Spain, the Netherlands, Italy and Switzerland. A professional sensory testing panel was used to assess allergen blinding which was found to be successful. Homogeneity and allergen content were confirmed by ELISA. Clinical efficacy was also assessed.

This pilot study showed that the standardised allergen material and protocols can be successfully and consistently used to confirm food allergy and determine minimum eliciting doses in adults and children approximately 7-11 years old across multiple allergy centres in Europe.

Reference: Cochrane et al. 2011. Allergy. DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2011.02715.x.