Study analyses novel strategies to tackle allergic reactions

Updated:5 years, 5 months ago

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): Allergic reactions have been a matter of concern for a long time and nearly one-third of the world's population suffers from allergies. However, the results obtained from a new study may help improve the diagnosis and treatment of allergies, pointing to a potential marker of these conditions and a new therapeutic strategy. The study led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital and the results was published in Nature. Certain antibodies--called IgE antibodies--bind to allergens such as peanuts and trigger a reaction that releases an array of molecules that cause allergic symptoms, and in extreme cases, potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. Scientists have been perplexed by the fact that many individuals have circulating allergen-specific IgE antibodies without ever developing allergy symptoms. For example, about half of the people who have peanut-specific IgE antibodies (or test positive to a peanut skin prick test) do not have peanut allergies. In addition, some allergic individuals outgrow their symptoms yet still retain detectable levels of circulating allergen-specific IgE.

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