title: Significance of borderline levels of specific IgE obtained by FAST-Plus assay.
abstract: The significance of "borderline" levels of allergen-specific IgE as measured by in vitro assays has been questioned. Patients whose specific IgE tests Patients were tested for twelve antigens using the FAST-Plus methodology. All 0/1 results were checked using skin tests at a 1:500 concentration. Positive (histamine) and negative (diluent) controls were used. The antigen-induced wheals were compared with those produced by a control wheal of 2% glycerine (the glycerine concentration in a 1:500 dilution). Positive wheals were arbitrarily considered to be those whose diameter after 10 minutes exceeded that of the glycerine control wheal by 2 mm or more. Using the limits of calibrator fluorescence for the FAST-Plus test in effect before 1990, a significant discordance between skin test results and the class 0/1 in vitro readings was evident. Using the standards in effect since 1990, marked concordance between class 0/1 results and positive skin tests was noted. This was most marked for pollens, less so for molds. Using current standards, FAST-Plus class 0/1 results are best considered positive (pending clinical confirmation), rather than negative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Mabry
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Mabry
mesh_terms: D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E