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Determination of sIg E to r P hl p 1 is sufficient to diagnose grass pollen allergy
Author(s) -
Bokanovic D.,
Aberer W.,
Hemmer W.,
Heinemann A.,
Komericki P.,
Scheffel J.,
Sturm G. J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/all.12263
Subject(s) - allergy , medicine , sensitization , asymptomatic , basophil activation , immunology , asthma , allergen , provocation test , gastroenterology , basophil , pathology , immunoglobulin e , alternative medicine , antibody
Background New diagnostic tools such as the basophil activation test ( BAT ) and component‐resolved diagnosis ( CRD ) are promising for hymenoptera venom or food allergy. A clear benefit for inhalant allergens has not yet been shown. Our aim was to compare new and established tests for grass pollen allergy. Methods Forty‐nine patients with grass pollen allergy and 47 controls were prospectively enrolled in the study. A symptom score was calculated for each patient. Conjunctival provocation tests (CPT), skin prick tests (SPT), BAT, and sIgE determination including CRD were performed. Sensitivity and specificity were compared and results were correlated with the symptom score. Results Single determination of sIgE to rP hl p 1 showed the best balance between sensitivity (98%) and specificity (92%). Use of additional components, such as rP hl p 2 and 5, did not increase sensitivity. Generally, sensitivity of tests was high: SPT 100%, ISAC‐112 100%, sIgE to timothy grass 98%, BAT 98%, ISAC‐103 84%, and CPT 83%. Specificity ranged from 79% (SPT) to 96% (CPT). All test results and calculated values (e.g. ratio sIgE / tIgE ) did not correlate with symptom severity. Asymptomatic sensitization to timothy grass in controls was rare in the CAP (11%) and predominantly due to Phl p 1 sensitization. Conclusion rP hl p 1 was sufficient to diagnose grass pollen allergy, and sIgE patterns were the same in symptomatically and asymptomatically sensitized subjects. The testing of multiple components was of minor importance, and no test correlated with symptom severity.