title: [Sensitivity and specificity of prick skin test with two concentrations of standardized extract of Culex quinquefasciatus in allergic children].
abstract: Diagnostic options for immune reactions to mosquito bites are limited. In Cuba, IgE-mediated reactions are frequently related to Culex quinquefasciatus bite.
  
  
  
  To determine the sensitivity and specificity of skin prick test with two doses of standardized extract in nitrogen protein units (PNU of Culex quinquefasciatus (BIOCEN, Cuba).
  
  
  
  An analytical study was conducted on 100 children between 2 and 15 years old. Fifty atopic patients with a history of allergy to mosquito bite and positive specific serum IgE Culex quinquefasciatus and fifty atopic patients without a history of allergy to mosquito bite and negative specific serum IgE to Culex quinquefasciatus. Skin prick tests (SPT) were performed by duplicates on the forearms of the patients. Investigated doses were 100 PNU/mL and 10 PNU/mL.
  
  
  
  SPT with the highest concentration obtained a mean wheal size of 22.09 mm2 and for lower doses of 8.09 mm2, a statistically significant difference (p=0.001, Student's t test). Positive skin test correlated in 100% of patients with the presence of specific IgE. Testing with both doses showed a 94% of specificity and 88% of sensitivity.
  
  
  
  The diagnostic accuracy of SPT using both doses of standardized extract was similar, which justifies its use for diagnosis of sensitization to Culex quinquefasciatus in patients with symptoms of allergy to mosquito bite.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Alergenos, Centro Nacional de Biopreparados. Dirección de Investigaciones, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas General Calixto García Íñiguez, La Habana, Cuba. rcastro@biocen.cu.
authors.forename: Raúl Lázaro
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Castro-Almarales
authors.forename: Mirta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Álvarez-Castelló
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ronquillo-Díaz
authors.forename: José S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Canosa
authors.forename: Mayda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: González-León
authors.forename: Bárbara I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Navarro-Viltre
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Betancourt-Mesia
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Enríquez-Domínguez
authors.forename: Mary Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Reyes-Zamora
authors.forename: Yunia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Oliva-Díaz
authors.forename: Maytee
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mateo-Morejón
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Labrada-Rosado
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003462:Cuba; D003465:Culex / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: Culex quinquefasciatus; sensitivity; skin prick test; specificity