The new allergy test helps the users discover what common global allergens their bodies react to, and provides a complete personalised antibody profile of the patient’s allergy triggers for precise diagnosis
The AllergyFocus test accurately identifies the cause of allergies. (Credit: Business Wire/ Oncologica)
Oncologica has rolled out a new IgE antibody test, dubbed Allergyfocus, which accurately detects 99% of known allergens from a finger prick blood sample.
The test helps the users discover what common global allergens their bodies react to.
It provides a complete personalised antibody profile of the patient’s allergy triggers for precise diagnosis, said the UK-based genomic testing company.
Allergyfocus requires a simple finger prick sample, self-collected at the patient’s home, and returned to the Oncologica’s accredited laboratory, where it will be tested.
The antibody allergy test sample is compared with 300 allergens, covering 99% of common allergens, to measure levels of IgE antibodies, and provides results within three days after the receiving sample.
Oncologica co-founder and scientific director Marco Loddo said: “Our allergy test is safe and uses a small volume of blood to give a diagnostic readout. Allergyfocus detects antibodies that are raised against a particular allergen.
“The antibody allergy test helps sufferers avoid the trial and elimination approach to identifying the cause of their allergic reactions and multiple visits to allergy specialists.
“The fast and accurate allergy test provides a comprehensive personalised antibody profile of allergy triggers to aid precise diagnosis and helps guide sufferers and healthcare professionals to the appropriate next steps.”
Allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to allergens, which typically occurs within seconds or minutes or several hours after exposure.
According to Oncologica, 20% of children and 30% of adults are estimated to develop allergies in their lifetime, and 1-10% of adults and children have food hypersensitivity.
Individuals can be allergic to pollen, dust, pet dander or certain foods that trigger rashes, eczema, wheezing, hay fever, vomiting, stomach pains and anaphylactic shock, etc.
It is difficult to know whether the symptoms are related to an allergy or other conditions.
Oncologica claimed that its Allergyfocus test is capable of determining the involvement of the body’s immune system.
The new allergy test covers reactions to pollen from trees and grasses, proteins secreted from house dust mites, moulds, foods, pets, wasp and bee venom, among others.