Molecular Basis of Food Allergy

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

Status: Invitation-only

Conditions: Food Allergy; Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01832324

08-005998

Details and patient eligibility

About

The Study examines the molecular basis of food allergy. It explores the interaction between T cells, InKT cells, basophils and cytokines in the development of food allergy. The study also explores these factors in development of tolerance "outgrowing" food allergy. It will also explore the genetic factors that lead to the development of food allergy.

The study examines all type of food allergy including IgE mediated reactions, Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Food Protein Induced Enterocolitis

Full description

Food Allergy (FA) is a common pediatric atopic disease. Characteristically children affected by FA become sensitized to food in the first few months of life and spontaneously outgrow the disease by 5-6 years of age in about 80% of cases. At the present time, diagnosis of FA is made by a combination of history, skin testing and food challenge. The pathogenic mechanisms leading to food sensitization and subsequent spontaneous tolerance development are not understood.

Enrollment: 5,300 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 1 month to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria for Study Group:

1. Males or females age 1 month to 65 years.
2. Diagnosis of Food Allergy. Food Allergy can be either IgE or non-IgE mediated food allergy including Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Food Protein Induced Enterocolitis.

Inclusion Criteria for Control group:

1. Age and sex matched patients without food allergies
2. Sibling and parents of patients with food allergies

Inclusion Criteria for Control group with atopy:

1. Age and sex matched patients without food allergies
2. Sibling and parents of patients with food allergies
3. Patients with atopy

Exclusion Criteria

1. Underlying disease or medical problem that is judged to serious or risky to allow 3 ml/kg of blood to be drawn from a vein (such as serious anemia, cancer, poor vein abscess, serious infections).
2. Subjects that do not meet the enrollment criteria may not be enrolled. Any violations of these criteria will be reported in accordance with Institutional Review Board (IRB) policies and procedures study procedures.