title: The diagnostic performance of allergen-molecules in comparison to allergen-extracts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of naturally purified allergen-molecules compared to that of allergen-extracts for house dust mite, cat dander epithelium and dog dander.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro tests for allergen-specific IgE were performed on the IMMULITE(®) 2000 in serum samples from 66 allergic patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  House dust mite: specificity for the allergen-extract (D1) and the allergen-molecules (nDer p 1, nDer f 1, nDer p 2 and nDer f 2) is comparable. The allergen-extract has a significantly higher sensitivity (100%) and total agreement (TA) (93%) relative to sensitivity (57%-70%) and TA (76%-81%) of the individual allergen-molecules. Cat dander epithelium: sensitivity (90%), specificity (96%) and TA (94%) of the allergen-molecule (nFel d 1) are comparable to those of the allergen-extract (E1). Dog dander: The allergen-molecule (nCan d 1) and allergen-extract (E5) have comparable specificity and TA. The allergen-extract has a lower sensitivity (52%) than the allergen-molecule (71%), although not significant (p=0.125).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is no diagnostic benefit of using allergen-molecules instead of allergen-extracts for initial allergy screening on cat dander epithelium and dog dander. However, use of these allergen-molecules might contribute to better standardization of the specific IgE tests. The studied allergen-molecules for house dust mite are of minor diagnostic value, because of loss of sensitivity.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, Amphia Hospital, Breda, The Netherlands. yvanderlinden@amphia.nl
authors.forename: Ivon J M
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: van der Linden
authors.forename: Monique J M
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: de Groot
authors.forename: Neletta C C M
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.forename: Zahide
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bozkurt
authors.forename: Christa M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Cobbaert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E