Allergic Diseases: Physiology, Immunology, and Testing

Author: Margaret Reinhart, MS, MLS(ASCP)
Reviewer: Kayla Lichtenberger, BS, M(ASCP), MLT(ASCP)
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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours: 1.5 hour(s)

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE Credit Hours

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE - General (Serology/Immunology): 1.5 hour(s)

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Objectives

  • Describe the symptoms and treatment for allergic rhinitis, asthma, food allergies, atopic dermatitis, and anaphylaxis.
  • Explain the basic steps in the immune pathway that leads to allergy.
  • Explain the pathophysiology of asthma and apply it to the physical changes that occur in the lungs.
  • Evaluate the treatments for the allergic diseases and what aspect of the immune response they target.
  • Describe some examples of genetic and epigenetic changes that can lead to allergy.
  • Compare and contrast skin testing versus blood testing for allergies, as well as different methods for performing allergy tests.

Course Outline

  • Introduction to Concepts of Allergy
    • Defining Allergy
    • Types of Allergic Diseases and Prevalence
    • History of Allergic Diseases
    • True or False: The immune mechanism for the common cold is very similar to the immune mechanism for allergies.
  • Types of Allergic Diseases, Symptoms, and Allergens
    • Asthma
    • Asthma Prevalence
    • Allergic Rhinitis
    • Atopic Dermatitis
    • Food Allergies
    • Anaphylaxis
    • Which of the following is not an outcome of severe chronic asthma?
    • Which of the following is a common cause of allergic rhinitis?
    • Cleaning products, certain fabrics, and cosmetics are most likely to cause which of the following allergic reactions?
  • Pathophysiology, Immunology, and Treatment of Allergic Diseases
    • Allergic Rhinitis
      • Pathophysiology and Immunology of Allergic Rhinitis
      • Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis
      • Which of the following is a critical step in the immunological pathway that leads to the development of allergic rhinitis and other allergic diseases?
    • Asthma
      • Asthma Pathophysiology
      • Immunology of Asthma
      • Traditional Treatments for Asthma: Quick Relief
      • Traditional Treatments for Asthma: Preventive
      • Immune-Based Treatments for Asthma: Immunotherapy
      • Immune-Based Treatments for Asthma: Asthma Biologics (Monoclonal Antibodies)
      • Diagnosis and Monitoring of Asthma
      • Which of the following cytokines does not play a significant role in allergy-causing asthma?
      • True or False: Only inhaled corticosteroids, not oral corticosteroids, are used to treat asthma.
      • What do biologics used to treat asthma consist of?
    • Atopic Dermatitis
      • Pathophysiology and Immunology of Atopic Dermatitis
      • Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis
      • Therapies and Future Treatments for Atopic Dermatitis
      • Which bacteria are associated with colonizing atopic dermatitis lesions?
    • Food Allergies
      • Pathophysiology of Food Allergies and Immune Tolerance
      • Nature of Food Allergens
      • Treatment for Food Allergies
      • True or False: The reason that we don't have immune reactions to most foods is because of immune tolerance.
      • Which of the following is not a characteristic of proteins that cause food allergies?
    • Anaphylaxis
      • Pathophysiology of Anaphylaxis
      • Treatment of Anaphylaxis
      • All of the following systems are affected by anaphylaxis. Which one leads to a drop in blood pressure?
    • Genetics, Epigenetics, and Environment of Allergy
      • Genetics
      • Epigenetics
      • Theories on the Etiology of Allergic Diseases
      • The Role of Filaggrin in Atopic Dermatitis
      • What do epigenetic changes refer to?
    • Allergy Testing
      • Basic Types of Allergy Tests: Skin Testing and Blood Testing
      • Types of Skin Testing for Allergy
      • Interpreting Skin Allergy Testing
      • Serum IgE Testing for Allergies
      • Methods for Serum IgE Testing
      • Cellular Functional Tests
      • Patch Testing for Atopic Dermatitis
      • Which of the following allergy tests has the highest sensitivity and specficity?
      • What is the most common method for serum IgE allergy testing?
    • Conclusion
      • Conclusion: Understanding Allergic Disease
    • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, laboratory supervisors, and laboratory managers. This course is also appropriate for MLS and MLT students and pathology residents.
Author Information: Margaret Reinhart, MS, MLS(ASCP), is a Senior Lecturer emerita of Biological Sciences at St. Joseph's University (formerly University of the Sciences), where she taught hematology, clinical immunology, microbiology, parasitology, and other related courses, as well as directed the MLS program for over 30 years. She also taught courses in Global Environmental Sustainability and Animal Studies. She is currently an adjunct instructor in Hematology at Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. She holds a Master's Degree in Biology and a Master's Degree in Health Care Administration.
The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer Information: Kayla Lichtenberger, BS, M(ASCP), MLT(ASCP), has built a progressive career in clinical microbiology at Essentia Health. She began as a medical laboratory assistant, where she developed a strong foundation in diagnostic workflows before transitioning into the microbiology department. There, she advanced into leadership as the lead technologist, overseeing daily operations, guiding workflow efficiency, and supporting high‑quality diagnostic results. Kayla holds a Bachelor of Science in microbiology from North Dakota State University and a medical laboratory technician degree from Rasmussen College, grounding her leadership in both scientific training and hands‑on laboratory experience.