Antibodies in allergy and inflammation. Research tools and indicators of disease.

The identification of IgE and the development of the radioallergosorbent test was the initiation of a revolution in the allergy research field. Measurement of allergen specific IgE antibodies is today an integral part of the clinical investigation of patients with suspected allergic disease. However, in addition to a being a routine test for the clinical laboratory, Phadebas RAST has served as the model for a number of modified procedures and as the basis for a wide range of applications. The aim of this presentation is to review and communicate the experience for the benefit of researchers and clinicians working in the field of allergy.