Clinical evaluation of a new in-vitro assay for specific IgE, the immuno CAP system.
The Pharmacia CAP system is a new assay for specific IgE characterized by a new solid phase (hydrophilic polymer encased in a capsule). The CAP results were compared to those of the Phadebas IgE RAST and skin-prick tests (SPT) performed in 145 subjects suffering from rhinitis and/or asthma with eight common inhalant allergens (total number of tests = 1160). Concording CAP/RAST results were found in 91% of the tests. The CAP was positive in 78% and the RAST in 65% of the positive SPT. Conversely, the CAP was negative in 90.6% and the RAST in 96.4% of the negative SPT. A pattern negative SPT, negative RAST and positive CAP' was found in 56 tests (40 subjects): in four such subjects, the CAP positivity was confirmed by a positive IgE crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis. Three borderline positive results were found among 240 negative controls (serum from cord blood or non-atopics). These data indicate that compared with SPT the CAP system is (a) more sensitive than the Pharmacia RAST and (b) does not seem less specific.
Leimgruber
A
A
Division of Immunology and Allergy, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Mosimann
B
B
Claeys
M
M
Seppey
M
M
Jaccard
Y
Y
Aubert
V
V
Peitrequin
R
R
Nisoli
M P
MP
Pécoud
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007123:Immunoelectrophoresis, Two-Dimensional; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis*; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D012882:Skin Tests
D007073:Immunoglobulin E