Development of Tools to Study Immune-Mediated Allergenic Responses to Food and Feed

The application of biotechnology to the production of food and feed presents both new opportunities and challenges to the health of both human and livestock. As the last decade has witnessed an increase in the prevalence of Food Allergy (FA), the development of validated animal models that can be used to evaluate the potential impact of new food and feeds, both on the development of allergic responses and on growth and development, is needed. Allergic reactions to food and feed are relatively rare but occasionally produce a severe immunological reaction in both humans and animals. Food allergy encompasses several immune mechanisms that can present with a variety of symptoms. This chapter discusses the incidence and severity of food allergy, and outlines the mechanism of Type 1 immediate hypersensitivity as it applies to man and livestock. It also describes an ongoing effort that is directed toward developing inbred swine populations in which neonatal piglets exhibit either reduced or enhanced hypersensitivity to soybean and peanut.