Comparative performance for immediate hypersensitivity skin testing using two skin prick test devices.

Fifty-five patients were skin-tested by Multi-Test (M) and needle prick test (NPT) to compare the reproducibility of the methods. We used 6 allergenic extracts: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, dog epithelium, cat pelt, American cockroach and mixed molds. A glycerosaline and a positive control (histamine 1 mg/ml) were performed in both methods. Statistically significant differences in histamine and Dermatophagoides farinae wheal reactions between the two methods (M > NPT) were found, with no differences with the other allergenic extracts. We concluded that the two methods are similar with respect to determining the immediate hypersensitivity, but the Multi-Test is better accepted by children.