Abstract

OLIVEIRA, Lucila Camargo López de  and  MORGENSTERN, Beni. Provocation tests. Rev. alerg. Méx. [online]. 2023, vol.70, n.4, pp.255-259.  Epub Apr 29, 2024. ISSN 2448-9190.  https://doi.org/10.29262/ram.v70i4.1311.

Oral provocation tests involve the supervised administration of suspected foods in increasing doses to evaluate a patient's allergic condition. Acknowledged as the superior method for diagnosing food allergies, it surpasses results from specific IgE serum or prick tests, which indicate sensitization but not necessarily allergy. The test is indicated in cases of diagnostic uncertainty, assessment of natural or induced tolerance, or cross-reactivity risks. Three types of tests exist: open, single-blind, and double-blind with a placebo. While the latter two reduce anxiety, open tests are more practical for children under three.

Keywords : Food allergy; Oral provocation test; serum IgE; Cross reaction; open test; Single blind trial; Controlled double-blind trial.