Differential diagnosis of food allergy and food intolerance

The mechanisms of food allergy include IgE-mediated and non IgE-mediated immune responses. Food intolerance is the reaction of defected digestive function caused by many factors in which the immune system is not involved. Clinically, the cases of food intolerance are increasing and the symptoms of the disease are usually complicated. Clinicians are facing the problem of differential diagnosis of food allergy and food intolerance, this article reviews the mechanisms of these two diseases to provide the reference for differential diagnosis. Key words: Food hypersensitivity; Food intolerance; Diagnosis, differential