Novel methods for nut allergy detection in minors
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Novel Methods for Nut Allergy Detection in Children
IRAS ID
254745
Contact name
Michael James Allcock
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Aberystwyth University
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 20 days
Research summary
A growing number of children are allergic to nuts, peanuts and other food. Currently, this is tested using a skin-prick test, blood tests and food studies. This involves pricking the skin and adding a sample of nut and see how the children reacts. If you get a reddish, itchy, raised spot, it shows that you may be allergic to that food or substance. These tests can often involve discomfort for the child. They are also not very accurate, with a high level of false positive results. Blood tests can be used but they are also only indicative and often cause discomfort for the child.
We would like to find out whether there is potential for non-invasive tests, using urine and saliva samples, to diagnose nut and other food allergies accurately based on chemical differences. This will involve a technique called metabolomics which will be carried out in collaboration with scientists at Aberystwyth University. We would also like to assess whether micro-rna isolated from the samples can also be used as biomarkers for nut allergy detection.
We would also like to determine whether a new blood test, called the mast cell activation test (MAT) is more accurate than the blood tests currently used by the NHS to diagnose nut and other food allergies.
The results of this study may therefore lead to more accurate and less invasive tests being developed in the future, with the aim of improving patient care.REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
18/WA/0405
Date of REC Opinion
6 Dec 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion