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Are you allergic to a particular substance?

Are you aware of the fact that symptoms like

  • a running nose, persistent rhinitis, itching eyes
  • shortness of breath, coughing
  • skin rash
  • nausea, digestive problems, diarrhea

can be based on a pathological hypersensitivity of your immune system?

Do you know how this hypersensitivity evolves?

Sometimes, your body categorizes a per se harmless substance in the environment as alien (allergen). At first contact with a particular allergen source (e.g. pollen) the immune system of your body produces antibodies in a process called sensitization, producing a strong reaction of defense (your symptom) upon each following contact with the same allergen. Therefore, the earlier a possible sensitization in our immune system is picked up by a diagnostic test, the more adequately effective measures for risk management and possibly treatment can be taken.

What is ISAC®?

A possible sensitization to a particular allergen can be determined by detecting IgE antibodies in the serum of an allergic patient, sometimes even before symptoms develop. ISAC® is a novel biochip-based test system that permits the rapid and accurate analysis of a large number (103 to date) of allergy-eliciting substances (= allergens) in a single step. Amongst others, the following allergens can be analysed:

  • Plants
    		•  (Grass-, weed- and tree-pollen)
  • Animals
    		•  Dog, cat
  • Insects
    		•  Bee venom, dust mites, cockroach
  • Moulds
    		•  Aspergillus, Alternaria
  • Foods
    		•  Cow’s milk, chicken egg, carrot, celery, peach, apple, wheat, lobster
  • Latex
    		•  Latex-containing products such as gloves or condoms

    The complete list of currently available allergens can be found here.

    What are the advantages of ISAC in comparison to other tests?

    For a complete ISAC analysis, a “drop” (20 ul) of venous or capillary serum is completely sufficient. In contrast to conventional test systems employing crude extracts produced from animal hair, pollen, mites, foods or latex for the detection of allergy-related antibodies, ISAC includes only highly purified single allergen molecules either in natural or recombinant form. This unique approach permits a more accurate determination of possibly allergy-eliciting components, while at the same time avoiding a direct contact with a large number of allergens, such as with skin-prick testing.

    What type of information is generated with the ISAC test?

    The ISAC® assay determines a patient’s individual allergen sensitization profile, also providing insights into possible cross- or poly-sensitizations. For example, birch pollen allergic patients are frequently sensitized to certain foods such as apple, carrot or celery, containing proteins that are related to particular birch pollen allergens. Such a cross-sensitization constitutes a possible risk for the patient that can be unveiled with ISAC®.

    Amongst others, the ISAC® assay helps your physician to

    • accurately determine the allergens generating your symptoms in a single step
    • create your individual allergy sensitization profile, for the first time facilitating the design of a personalized treatment based on avoidance, drug- or specific immunotherapy (”allergy vaccination“)
    • develop a better risk management of your symptoms, such as the avoidance of particular allergen sources

    How is the ISAC® test conducted?

    Only minute amounts of serum are required to perform an ISAC analysis. For this purpose, a blood sample is collected in special allergy laboratory and subsequently analyzed in our purpose-designed analytical facilities. Results are provided as special medical reports, forming the basis for personalized diagnosis and treatment.

    Which laboratories in your vicinity are offering the ISAC® test?

    We will publish a list of partner laboratories offering ISAC analyses on the site shortly. Please, contact our customer care centre for further information!

    How do the ISAC® results look like?

    An exemplary ISAC® result can be found here. The allergen profile generated with ISAC® is different for each patient and has to be interpreted and discussed with your physician.

    Who pays for the ISAC® analysis?

    The costs for the ISAC® analysis are charged to the patient. Reimbursement by public health organizations is provided only partially and differs from country to country. Please, contact your allergy laboratory or your practitioner for more information in this matter!