[IgE and the significance of the radio-allergo-sorbent-test (RAST)].

In 1966 a new immunoglobulin was found in persons with allergies and in non-typical myeloma proteins. Normally this immunoglobulin E is present only in nanogramms and rests with predilection on the membrane of mast-cells. There is a reaginic-anaphylactic reaction after re-exposure of antigens to the antigen-antibody reaction followed by denudation of mediators of the anaphylactic reaction. With the Radio-Immuno-Sorbent-Test (RIST) the IgE can be quantitatively determined. Elevated IgE-blood levels are typically found in atopic eczema. With the Radio-Allergo-Sorbent-Test (Rast) the allergen specific IgE can be defined. A conformity with appropriate patchtests can be achieved in 60-80% of the cases. In this review advantoses and problem of RIST- and RAST-diagnoses are described. RAST represents a valuable aid in diagnosis of allergies beeing not burdensome and risky, as it is easy to perform and bears no risk to the patients. At the present time, however, patch tests are necessary in the diagnosis of allergies.