A joint research team from Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences and the Medical University of Vienna in Austria has developed a new molecular allergy chip that can identify specific allergens in patients with allergic asthma through blood testing. The research results have been published in the academic journal Allergy.

The chip integrates 63 airborne allergen molecules, covering common sensitizers such as pollen, dust mites, and animal dander. By analyzing serum samples from 436 asthma patients in the LEAD cohort, the research team found that more than 70% of the patients exhibited specific IgE sensitization. These patients identified as having allergic asthma showed clinical features such as earlier age of onset, better lung function, and lower dependence on corticosteroids.

Professor Rudolf Valenta from the Medical University of Vienna said: "This technology can quickly and accurately identify patients with allergic asthma. These patients can be treated with allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) for causal treatment, rather than simply controlling symptoms." Unlike traditional extract-based testing methods, the chip uses purified allergen molecules, which can effectively distinguish true sensitization from cross-reactivity and provide a basis for personalized treatment.

Approximately 300 million people worldwide are affected by asthma. This study provides a new approach for optimizing diagnosis and treatment strategies. AIT therapy gradually reduces the immune system's sensitivity to specific allergens, achieving long-term symptom relief. The study points out that early and precise diagnosis helps to rationally allocate medical resources and avoid unnecessary use of biologics.

The application of molecular diagnostic technology is driving the transformation of asthma treatment from general symptom management to individualized precision medicine. This testing method has clinical promotion feasibility and is expected to become a routine diagnostic tool.