title: ALATOP-RIA in the screening of atopy in a non Caucasian population.
abstract: ALATOP is an "in vitro" radioimmunoassay screening test for atopy, previously validated in a caucasian population. The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of a screening test of atopy in a non caucasian population. We select a non caucasian population (n = 208), from hospital immunoallergy consultations, Cape Verde Republic (Africa). It was determined the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values comparing with skin prick tests (SPT) results for the 208 patients, and with clinical data (Clin) in 115 patients. It was also determined the levels of total IgE, done by IRMA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using different corrections factors, 0.85 gives the best results: ALATOP/SPT-Sensitivity-88.5% +/- 4.34; Specificity-73.8% +/- 8.41; Positive predictive value-66.9%; Negative predictive value-91.4%; Efficiency of the test-79.3%. ALATOP/CLIN-Sensitivity-95.2% +/- 3.89; Specificity-71.2% +/- 12.07; Positive predictive value-65.6%; Negative predictive value-96.2%; Efficiency of the test-80.0%. The mean values of total IgE were-406 IU/ml.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mean value of total IgE was significantly increased even in the ALATOP-/SPT-not saw in caucasian populations. The use of a different correction factor (0.85) for ALATOP, optimize the test, showing a good negative predictive value, but raises the question of adapted compositions of screening tests for different populations.
authors.affiliation: D. Estefânia Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Nogueira
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: de Almeida
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tavares
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Loureiro
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Pinto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000354:Africa, Western / Q000453:epidemiology; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D044383:Black People; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D015592:Immunoradiometric Assay; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D007073:Immunoglobulin E