[Contribution of molecular biology to allergology practice]

In the last 20 years, numerous allergen proteins have been purified and cloned. Analyses of individual sera from patients sensitized to allergenic sources revealed great variety in the responses to molecular allergens. We have tried to show how molecular allergology had modified the patients'treatments by bringing new interpretation to cutaneous tests and serological IgE determination. The consequences for the future concerning diagnosis and immunotherapy protocols are underlined.