Microarray Diagnostics
"The technique of diagnosis by microarrays allows us to have a greater diagnostic precision and to know if the patient is allergic to different allergenic sources. This means that immunotherapy, treatment with vaccines, is much more aimed at solving the problem".
DR. CARMEN D'AMELIO GARÓFALO SPECIALIST. ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
The molecular diagnosis of allergy using microarrays is a diagnostic complement to skin testing and other in vitro techniques such as serological techniques.
Only two drops of blood are enough for a microarray team to detect a patient's allergic reactivity to more than 85 molecular components present in food and numerous pollens, mainly.
The Clínica Universidad de Navarra was one of the first centers to acquire this technology and has led the clinical validation of the diagnosis using microarrays
It can also substitute for skin tests in those patients where these cannot be performed. It also means a significant reduction in costs, as it allows many compounds to be analyzed in a single test.
Component-based diagnosis allows to determine more precisely how many cases can be treated with immunotherapy and what the composition of the immunotherapy should be.
When is microarray diagnosis indicated?
The data obtained through this technique help us to specify the foods that should be eliminated from the diet and, if necessary, the composition of the vaccine.
The microarray technique is carried out at the molecular level.
With the diagnostic technique of microarrays, it is possible to differentiate the sensitization against different proteins, recombinant or purified natural, that can be present in vegetable foods and pollens, in mites and seafood or in birds and eggs, etc.
In this way, it is possible to detect a series of cross-reactivity syndromes caused by, for example, a pollen and a food containing the same protein to which the patient is allergic.
Most frequent indications of microarray:
- Drug allergies
- Pollen allergies
- Dust allergies
- Food allergies
Do you suspect that you have allergies?
It may be necessary to perform a microarray diagnosis
How is the diagnosis made with microarrays?
The technique consists of a microchip on whose surface the 259 allergen extracts are fixed.
After bathing this surface with the specific IgE antibodies of the patient's serum, these are fixed to the components.
Subsequently, these components are detected, accurately revealing the patient's sensitization profile.
This technique manages to differentiate the sensitization from different proteins, recombinant or purified natural, which can be present in vegetable foods and pollens, in mites and seafood or in birds and eggs, etc.
The data obtained through this technique help us to give more precise advice about the foods that should be eliminated from the diet or to decide the composition of the vaccine.
The advantages of the ALEX microarray technique over conventional ones are
- A wide range of allergenic agents analyzed together with a blood test.
- The analysis at a molecular level, of greater precision.
- Avoiding the patient the discomfort of skin tests against a high number of allergens.
- Allows 259 allergen extracts to be tested in a single test.
Where do we do it?
IN NAVARRE AND MADRID
Department of Allergology
of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra
The Department of Allergy and Immunology of the Clinic is part of the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network, composed of the 25 best departments of Allergy in Europe, chosen for their scientific excellence, multidisciplinary work, teaching and international activities.
We have the most advanced diagnostic techniques, we are at the forefront of research and we collaborate with the best experts. We have more than 50 years of experience in the field.
What diseases do we treat?
Why at the Clinica?
- More than 50 years of experience.
- Pioneers in the technique of molecular diagnosis by microarray.
- Nursing specialized in allergic diseases and their care.
Our team of professionals
