Current perspectives on milk hypersensitivity

Milk protein may produce immune-mediated hypersensitivity reactions that ar e seen as skin, gastrointestinal and/or respiratory symptoms. This is calle d milk allergy or hypersensitivity. It is thought to be a disease of infant s but recent studies have suggested that it may be common also in adults. I n this paper, the participation of all of the four types of hypersensitivit y reaction in milk hypersensitivity is surveyed and the role of antibodies and phagocytic is discussed. Also, the role of probiotics in alleviating mi lk hypersensitivity is reviewed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.