Abstract

Several patents of methods for diagnostic work-up of IgE-mediated disease have recently been acclaimed. The aim of the present study was to assess the diagnostic usefulness of the Multiple allergen simultaneous testchemiluminescent assay® (MAST CLA) as compared to the Phadia Immunocap® (Phadia CAP) allergen-specific IgE test panel system. The design was a prospective, observational study in which MAST CLA and Phadia CAP test panels were assessed in 105 children aged 1 to 17 years (46 girls and 59 boys) with a suspected diagnosis of rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, eczema or food allergy. The MAST CLA screening panel included 23 and 13, the Phadia CAP 10 inhalant and 6 food allergens. The MAST CLA screening panel found 353 sensitizations which were not detected by Phadia CAP, 93 (26.3%) of which were class 3 or 4 results. The sensitizations gave clinically useful information in 7 patients (6.6%). As compared to the Phadia CAP the MAST CLA screening test panel adds little to the diagnostic work-up of IgE mediated disease in children and adolescents.

Keywords: Allergy, allergic rhinitis, asthma, eczema, IgE, IgE tests, multiple allergen simultaneous test-chemiluminescent assay, Phadia CAP test, IgE panel screening tests, rhinoconjunctivitis