[Cow's milk protein antibodies determined by immunofluorescence (RIFT) in cow's milk protein intolerance and in controls (author's transl)].

An immunofluorescent method using antigencoupled red cells was used to determine antibody titres against five main cow's milk proteins in 20 children with CMPI, in 130 normal controls, and in 70 children with various gastrointestinal disorders. Antibody findings were related to age and nutritional conditions. For no antibody group, a pathogenetic significance was found with respect to antigen or immunoglobulin class. Formation of serum cow's milk antibodies was far from indicating a pathological process. Nevertheless, determination of cow's milk antibody titres by RIFT had some use in the differential diagnosis of CMPI, although in comparison it has not the specific of gliadin antibodies in coeliac disease. Combined clinical and morphological criteria for the diagnosis of CMPI can not be replaced by immunofluorescent cow's milk antibody testing.