Foreword -- Preface -- 1 Introduction to molecular allergy diagnostics: Protein families, allergen data banks and benefits for the use in clinical routine. - I Protein families and relationships -- 2 Bet v 1 and homologues -- 3 Pollen- panallergens: Profilins and polcalcins -- 4 Stable plant food allergens I: Lipid transfer proteins -- 5 Stable plant food allergens I: Storage proteins -- 6 Cross reactive carbohydrate determinants -- II Test systems, singleplex, multiplex analysis -- 7 Molecular allergy diagnostics as singleplex IgE determinations: Methodological and practical consideration for the use in clinical routine -- 8 Spiking with recombinant allergens to improve performance of allergen extracts. - 9 Molecular allergy diagnostics using multiplex IgE determinations. Benefits and limitations for the use in clinical routine. - III Molecular allergy diagnostics in clinical routine -- 10 Marker allergens and pan allergens in tree and grass pollen allergy -- 11 Marker allergens in weed pollen allergy -- 12 Molecular diagnostics of peanut allergy.-13 Molecular diagnostics of nut allergy -- 14 Molecular diagnostics of allergy to fruits and vegetables -- 15 Molecular diagnostic in allergy to cow milk and hen egg -- 16 Molecular diagnostics in meat allergy (t.b.c.) -- 17 Molecular diagnostics in food dependent exercise induced anaphylaxis. 18 Optimized diagnostics in insect venom allergy using recombinant allergens -- 19 Molecular diagnostics in inhalant animal allergens -- 20 Extract based and molecular diagnostics in fish allergy -- 21 Allergens of house dust mites and diagnostics in HDM allergy -- 22 Allergy to cockcroaches, ticks, storage mites, and other arthropods: molecular aspects -- 23 Mould allergens -- 24 Latex allergens -- IV Designer-Allergens, Hypoallergens -- 25 Recombinant allergens in specific immunotherapy -- 26 Definition and design of hypoallergenic food.

This book, based on a recent German publication, offers an overview of basic data and recent developments in the groundbreaking field of molecular allergology. It comprehensively explores the origin and structure of single allergen molecules ("components") and their utility in improving the management of type I, IgE-mediated allergic reactions and disorders like allergic respiratory diseases, food allergies, and anaphylaxis. Highly specific testing, called component-resolved diagnostics, aims to identify and utilize single molecules. Over 200 single allergens from plant or animal sources have been applied to single or multiplex laboratory testing for the presence of allergen-specific IgE. This leap in assay sensitivity and specificity has led to three major advances in patient management: discrimination between primary allergic sensitization and complex cross-reactivity, recognition of IgE profiles for certain allergens and identification of patients most likely to benefit from allergen-specific immunotherapy. The book discusses in detail the benefits and limitations of this 21st century technology, and offers suggestions for the use of molecular allergology in routine clinical practice. It is a "must read" for physicians treating allergic patients as well as scientists interested in natural allergic molecules and their interactions with the human immune system.