Abstract

Background: Skin prick test (SPT) and serum specific IgE (ssIgE) measurements are the most common methods used to diagnose allergy. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum specific-IgE in a large group of polysensitized patients with the same SPT result (such as ++++) comparing the two diagnostic methods.
Methods: Four hundred ninety-four children (310 males; median age 10 years) suffering from allergic rhinitis were studied. Serum specific-IgE values were measured by ImmunoCap assay. Skin prick test was also performed.
Results: There was a significant difference (p < 0.0001) among serum specific-IgE values in these polysensitized patients.
Conclusions: The ss-IgE measurements in polysensitized patients seem to be more appropriate than SPT.

DOI: Clin. Lab. 2011;57:83-85