Molecular Basis of Food Allergy

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.

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 IRB policies and procedures
study procedures.