[Multitest Fx5 in food allergy]

A comparative study was made of three in vivo and in vitro diagnostic methods for food allergy: Fx5 multitest (Pharmacia); Measurement of specific IgE CAP (Pharmacia); Skin tests (Prick Tests). 20 patients, from 3 to 71 years (mean 24.4 years), were selected by clinical suggestion (asthma, rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria and/or Quincke's oedema). The Fx5 test used six food allergens: wheat, egg, cow's milk, soya, peanut and fish. The Cap Rast for each substance was evaluated, as was Fx5, by a radio-immunological method. The Prick Tests made with the six allergens used were considered to be positive when the diameter of the weal was greater than that produced by a reference test with histamine. The results were considered as a comparison between Fx5 and Cap Rast to each of the foods, between Fx5 and prick Test with five foods and finally between CAP RAST and Prick Test. Correlation Fx5--Cap rast was better and more useful in the diagnosis of food allergy than skin tests.