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Atopy Patch Testing with Aeroallergens and Food Proteins

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Contact Dermatitis

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Abstract

Atopy patch test (APT) is an experimental epicutaneous test method to diagnose aeroallergen – or respectively food allergen-triggered atopic eczema. Application of aeroallergens or foods may promote allergen-specific T-cell responses and IgE-mediated immune responses at the same time. Positive APT reactions are associated with an increased specific serum IgE, positive skin prick test reaction, allergen exposure in history, long eczema duration, or rhinoconjunctivitis. APT may be indicated in patients with eczema with suspicion of aeroallergen symptoms without proof of positive specific IgE and/or a positive skin prick test and in patients with severe and/or persistent atopic eczema with unknown trigger factors or multiple IgE sensitizations without proven clinical relevance. However, to this point, despite extensive efforts at APT standardization, no licensed test substances are available for routine use today.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology and Allergy Biederstein, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany

    Ulf Darsow, Clara Balzer & Johannes Ring

  2. Division of Allergology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany

    Vera Mahler

Authors
  1. Ulf Darsow
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  2. Clara Balzer
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  3. Vera Mahler
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  4. Johannes Ring
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ulf Darsow .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Amtssygehuset Gentofte Dept. Dermatology, Hellerup, Denmark

    Jeanne Duus Johansen

  2. Federal Institute for Vaccines & Biomed, Paul Ehrlich Institut Federal Institute for Vaccines & Biomed, Langen, Bayern, Germany

    Vera Mahler

  3. Institut le Bel Labo. Dermatochimie, Strasbourg CX, France

    Jean-Pierre Lepoittevin

  4. Hautklinik, Städtische Kliniken Dortmund Klinikzentrum Mitte, Dortmund, Germany

    Peter J. Frosch

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Darsow, U., Balzer, C., Mahler, V., Ring, J. (2020). Atopy Patch Testing with Aeroallergens and Food Proteins. In: Johansen, J., Mahler, V., Lepoittevin, JP., Frosch, P. (eds) Contact Dermatitis. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72451-5_25-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72451-5_25-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-72451-5

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