PMID: 15329005Aug 27, 2004Paper

Measurement of nasal IgE in an epidemiological study: assessment of its diagnostic value in respiratory allergy

European Annals of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
F MarcucciL G Sensi

Abstract

Specific questionnaire and skin prick test (SPT) are the most used methods in epidemiological studies on respiratory allergy. SPT, however, can be positive in many subjects without evidence of any allergic disease. Nasal IgE determination has been suggested by some authors as a valuable diagnostic method, which may overcome this lack of specificity. The aim of this study was to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of nasal specific IgE for the seven most common inhalant allergens in order to verify its reliability as a screening test. 126 children, involved in an epidemiological study on prevalence of respiratory allergic disease, were evaluated. All children were assessed with a specific questionnaire, SPT and nasal specific IgE. Nasal specific IgE were determined with a previously described method modified for screening purposes, in order to test seven allergens at the same time. When discordant results were obtained between questionnaire, SPT and nasal IgE, an allergen specific nasal challenge (ASNC) was performed and nasal tryptase was also determined before and after challenge. The questionnaire was positive for respiratory allergy in 28/126 children. SPT was positive in 21 of the 28 children, but also in 5/10 children wit...Continue Reading

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