INVITRO SCREENING FOR INHALANT ALLERGY WITH MULTI-SX-1 RAST (PHADIATOP)

A new in vitro screening test for inhalant allergy (Phadiatop(R), Pharmacia Uppsala, Sweden) was evaluated for its effectiveness in identifying allergic patients. The test is based on the radio-allergo-sorbent-test (RAST(R)). Specific IgE antibodies to different inhalant allergens are detected simultaneously. Serum samples from 300 patients and controls were run with Phadiatop. 96 % of 150 patients with proved allergic disease were correctly identified by Phadiatop. 92 % of 150 individuals without clinically relevant allergic hypersensitivity were found correctly to be negative. Allergic disease was proved or excluded by case history, skin prick test, RAST and, in some cases, additionally by provocation challenge.