title: Comparison of SPT and NPT in the ascertainment of nasal mucosa as shock organ.
abstract: The Skin Prick Test (SPT) is the principal tool in allergic diagnosis, but in allergic rhinitisan immunological disease which affects 12% of the total population-the Nasal Provocation Test (NPT) allows more reliable results to be obtained. In our study a positive response to NPT has been found in four subjects with a history of symptoms suggesting allergic rhinitis, who had a negative SPT. Subjects with a positive SPT for two or more inhalant antigens have a significantly reduced number of antigen responses to NPT. Moreover, in two cases, the antigen than induced a positive response to NPT was different from the antigen that induced positive SPT. So. NPT is a reliable way of diagnosing allergic rhinitis. A more specific and reliable ascertainment of the antigen responsible for allergic reaction avoids unnecessary and ineffective immunotherapeutical attempts based on false assumptions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Testa
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mesolella
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Testa
authors.forename: L V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Testa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens