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ALEX 2 ALLERGY CHECK-UP
ALEX test: advanced analysis for diagnosing allergies
The ALEX2 (Allergy Explorer 2) allergy test offered by CalatafimiMed is an innovative multiplex allergy test that gives a detailed picture of each person’s sensitisation. Thanks to an extensive panel of allergens on a chip, it provides a complete and accurate assessment.
From a single blood sample, the ALEX test simultaneously measures total IgE (tIgE) and specific IgE (sIgE) to 300 allergen extracts, while inhibiting reactivity to CCDs (cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants).
This advanced test can identify one or more of almost 300 respiratory and food allergies. It is the first quantitative in vitro molecular diagnostic test for allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) and semi-quantitative for total IgE (tIgE) in human serum or plasma. In practice, it precisely detects immunoglobulin E, the antibodies the immune system produces in response to substances it perceives as threats.
Based on nanobead technology, the ALEX test gives the broadest and most detailed result available in terms of allergen components analysed. Thanks to its high reliability and speed, it provides essential information on the level of sensitisation to many allergens.
Once assessed with an allergy specialist, the data can help define a personalised plan for the patient, including changes to diet and lifestyle for better management of allergies.
Why choose the ALEX 2 allergy check-up
Compared with traditional allergy tests, the ALEX test offered by CalatafimiMed identifies not only the source of the allergy (such as pollen, dust mites or foods), but also the specific allergenic protein, known as the molecular allergen.
Some of these proteins are unique to one allergen source, while others are shared between different sources, as happens between some pollens and foods, causing cross-reactivity. This means a person may react to a substance they are not actually sensitised to, simply because it shares the same allergenic protein with another known allergen.
For an accurate diagnosis it is therefore essential to distinguish between true allergic reactions and those due to cross-reactivity. With a single blood sample, the ALEX test analyses hundreds of allergens and individual proteins at the same time, giving precise answers on the cause of allergic reactions.
As shown by a study published in the World Allergy Organization Journal, the ALEX test is an innovation in allergy diagnostics, because it precisely identifies the real cause of the allergic reaction and helps determine the most appropriate treatment for each patient.
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*Waiting times refer to working days and to the first available specialist.
CalatafimiMed is in Palermo and is open from Monday to Saturday. For any further information you can contact the centre here.