Determination of the food specific IgE antibodies: comparison of MAST-CLA and CAP systems.
BACKGROUND
This study was carried out to compare two techniques used to determine the food specific IgE antibody.


METHODS
Thirty-four allergic patients were evaluated for most common food IgE antibodies by multiple allergosorbent chemiluminescent assay (MAST-CLA). IgE antibodies to eight of these food allergens were also measured by Pharmacia CAP (CAP) test.


RESULTS
The food specific IgE showed good agreement between MAST-CLA and CAP (kappa = 0.3-0.77). The sensitivity of MAST-CLA assay for food specific IgE antibody was variable comparing with that of CAP system. The accuracy ranged from 0.76 to 0.97. The agreement between the results of MAST-CLA and skin test was variable (kappa = 0.03-0.58). The agreement was poor in wheat, peanut and soybean (kappa = 0.03-0.12). Similar result between CAP and skin test was also obtained (kappa = 0.06-0.82). The agreement was poor in wheat (kappa = 0.06) and milk (kappa = 0.15).


CONCLUSIONS
Different results might be related to quality of the extract, how they are performed in vitro test and difference of correspondent allergens employed in the tests.
Tang
R B
RB
Department of Pediatrics, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Chen
B S
BS
Chen
S J
SJ
Wu
K G
KG
Hwang
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D008163:Luminescent Measurements
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E