title: Development and comparative evaluation of a multiple-antigen RAST as a screening test for inhalant allergy.
abstract: We have developed a modified in vitro test for IgE antibodies, the multi-RAST, to detect antibodies of different allergen specificities simultaneously in a single tube. The multi-RAST is as sensitive for detecting low concentrations of individual IgE antibodies as the discrete RAST. We also evaluated the multi-RAST as a screening test for respiratory allergy to inhalant allergens in children by comparing the results of the multi-RAST performed by use of a mixture of SRP, TGP, and DF allergen-immunosorbents with the results of skin tests, discrete RAST tests for the same allergens, serum total IgE concentrations, and nasal smears for eosinophils in 100 children referred for allergic-disease evaluation. The results of the multi-RAST were more sensitive, specific, and efficient than the results of tests for serum IgE concentration and nasal eosinophils in establishing the diagnosis of inhalant allergy; the multi-RAST was the only diagnostic test that yielded results that were significantly associated with the clinician's impression of allergy. We conclude that the multi-RAST is a useful and cost-effective screening test for inhalant allergy in children.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000032:analysis; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test / Q000379:methods*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D007073:Immunoglobulin E