Component-resolved diagnostics in vernal conjunctivitis.
BACKGROUND
Conventional diagnostic tests in allergy are insufficient to clarify the origin of vernal conjunctivitis (VC).


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate IgE-mediated hypersensitivity by component-resolved diagnosis (CRD) in tears and serum from patients with VC and to evaluate how to treat patients with identified triggering allergens by specific immunotherapy.


METHODS
Patients were divided into 3 groups: (1) patients with VC (25 patients), (2) patients allergic to grass pollen with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (AC) (50 patients), and (3) healthy blood donors (50 patients). If triggering allergens were detected, specific conventional immunotherapy was administered for 1 year.


RESULTS
Twenty-five patients with VC were evaluated. The identified triggering allergens were n Lol p 1 (11 patients), n Cyn d 1 (8 patients), group 4 and 6 grasses (6 patients), and group 5 grasses (5 patients). Prick test and pollen IgE test results were positive in one patient. Clinical improvement was observed in 13 of the 25 patients with VC after 1 year of specific immunotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
CRD seems to be a more sensitive diagnostic tool compared with prick test and IgE detection. Specific CRD-led immunotherapy may achieve clinical improvements in patients with VC.
Allergy Unit, Rio Hortega University Hospital, Valladolid, Spain. Electronic address: aliciaarmentia@gmail.com.
Alicia
A
Armentia
Oftalvist, Madrid, Spain.
Beatriz
B
Iglesias
Ophthalmology Unit, Rio Hortega University Hospital, Valladolid, Spain.
Darío
D
Iglesias
Ophthalmology Unit, Rio Hortega University Hospital, Valladolid, Spain.
Javier A
JA
Montero
Allergy Unit, Rio Hortega University Hospital, Valladolid, Spain.
Eugenia
E
Sanchís
Research Unit, Rio Hortega University Hospital, Valladolid, Spain.
Blanca
B
Martín
Department of Biodiversity and Environmental Management, University of Leon, Spain and Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, Bologna, Italy.
Delia
D
Fernández
Research Unit, Clinic University Hospital, Valladolid, Spain.
Fé
F
Munoz
Research Unit, Clinic University Hospital, Valladolid, Spain.
Jesus
J
Bermejo
D000328:Adult; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007159:Immunologic Tests / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D006109:Poaceae / Q000276:immunology; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods; D013666:Tears / Q000276:immunology
D052179:Antigens, Plant; D007073:Immunoglobulin E