New test for diagnosing peanut allergy

The Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Melbourne has found a more convenient, accurate and cost effective method for the diagnosis of peanut allergy.

The new blood test is a 2 step  process using the Arah2 protein component of peanut and  reduces the need for an oral food challenge. Patients can have the test done by their local GP and so avoid the need to attend a specialist allergy clinic which often has a long waiting list.

The study was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.