MosaicDX offers a more comprehensive measurement of total IgG antibodies to different food-based antigens and Candida, in contrast to many laboratories that only measure IgG4 molecules. IgG4 antibodies account for less than 6% of the total IgG antibodies, and testing for only IgG4 antibodies limits the clinician’s ability to identify foods that could cause significant clinical reactions in their patients.

The objective of IgG-mediated food allergy testing is to identify foods that can trigger multiple adverse reactions. IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3 antibodies can cause inflammation by creating large immune complexes or lattices that activate complement proteins. On the other hand, IgG4 antibodies to food antigens usually do not activate complement and therefore do not typically cause inflammation.

In an article by Kemeny et al., they emphasized the importance of measuring all subtypes of IgG antibodies. Their research found that patients with celiac disease had elevated IgG1 antibodies to gluten, but none had elevated IgG4 antibodies to gluten. However, elevated levels of IgG4 antibodies still indicate the presence of immune reactions against food antigens.