In vitro diagnosis of atopic allergy in children. A comparison between total IgE, conventional RAST and a new multi RAST (Phadiatop).

A new multi RAST (Phadiatop) was compared with conventional RAST and total IgE determination (PRIST) for the diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergy in children. Serum specimens were tested from 100 children with a suspected IgE-mediated allergy, restricted to the eyes and/or the respiratory tract, to inhalant allergens. Compared with a RAST panel of 12 allergens representing seven groups, the new multi RAST showed a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 100% with a predictive value for positive test of 100% and for negative test of 91%. Corresponding figures for total IgE elevated greater than 2 SD above mean determined with PRIST were 47%, 88% 84% and 56% respectively. We conclude that multi RAST might be a good adjunct to the clinical diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergy to inhalant allergens.