title: A comparison of techniques for evaluating IgE-mediated allergies.
abstract: Skin prick testing remains the most popular way to confirm an IgE-mediated allergic response. This study was performed to compare the accuracy and sensitivity of two skin testing modalities (serial endpoint titration and skin prick testing with 2 different in vitro assays). In 52 atopic patients serial endpoint titration showed a higher degree of sensitivity in evaluating skin response in less sensitive reactors. At higher degrees of reactivity in individual patients there was good correlation between the 3 modalities. Identifying patients who are less sensitive reactors is important, so that they can be started on immunotherapy. In fact, an informal survey of low-reacting patients treated with immunotherapy showed a high degree of success.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Surgery, Wright State University School of Medicine, Fairborn, Ohio, USA. jb45459@aol.com
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Boyles
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis*; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015927:Skin Test End-Point Titration
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E