Rapid immunochromatographic measurement of specific tear immunoglobulin E in moderate to severe cases of allergic conjunctivitis with Immfast Check J1 in the spring.

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether Immfast Check J1, a new commercial immunochromatographic test for the measurement of specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E, could be used as a screening test for the diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis.

METHODS

A prospective, nonrandomized, cross-sectional study was conducted in 64 moderate to severe cases of allergic conjunctivitis (allergic group) and 44 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (control group). Specific IgE levels for cedar pollen, cat epithelium, and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus were measured in tear fluid with the Immfast Check J1.

RESULTS

Specific IgE levels in tear fluid could be assayed within 20 minutes in all subjects. The positive rate of specific IgE was significantly higher in the allergic group than in the control group (cedar pollen, 96.9% vs. 2.3%, P < 0.00001; cat epithelium, 23.4% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.00018; and D. pteronyssinus, 53.1% vs. 2.3%, P < 0.00001). Specific IgE scores were also significantly higher in the allergic group than in the control group (cedar pollen, P < 0.00001; cat epithelium, P = 0.03907; and D. pteronyssinus, P < 0.00001).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that Immfast Check J1 is a rapid and easy test for detection of allergen-specific IgE in tear fluid samples from patients with allergic conjunctivitis. The test is reliable and easy to perform on an outpatient basis.