Diagnostic value of total IgE and antigen specific IgE using RAST in pollenosis

41 patients with clinically demonstrated pollinosis are studied. The following test were performed on all of them: a) Intradermal skin tests using grass pollen extracts (Pangramin III) and with extracts of Dactylis glomerate, Lollium perenne and Poa pratensis. b) Totol serum IgE determination. c) Antigen specific IgE (RAST) determination against the pollens mentioned in b). d) Passive hemagglutination against the pollen Dactylis glomerate. Basing on the results obtained, we have arrived to the following conclusions: 1) IgE determination with intensely positive intradermal skin tests in all cases, gave the following data: 27.5% normal values, 35% slightly elevated and 37.5% highly increased values. We believe that IgE determination can only be used to estimate the "allergization" degree of the patient. 2) No relation between the antigen concentration used in the intradermal skin test, and serum IgE concentration was found. 3) Taking in consideration that the antigen extracts used for RAST and intradermal skin tests were obtained from different sources (Sweden and Spain, respectively), the relation between both determinations ranged between 52.5% and 60%, in a total of 123 tests performed. 4) Considering that in the allergic response antibodies other than reagins (IgG) take part, and taking into account the results obtained with the passive hemagglutination technique, we consider that this last method should be included as a diagnostic routine tool in the pollinic patient.