Relationship between skin-prick tests, the multiple allergosorbent test and symptoms of allergic disease

In 47 atopic subjects, skin-prick testing to 10 common allergens was performed, and specific IgE to the same allergens was assessed by the multi-allergosorbent chemiluminescent assay (MAST-CLA). Overall agreement between the tests was 66.4% for conventionally positive skin tests (weal diameter greater than or equal to 3 mm), rising to 78.5% when a positive skin test was defined as having a weal diameter greater than or equal to 5 mm. Agreement between the tests was statistically significant for all allergens except Alternaria. A history was obtained from each subject of the presence or absence of allergic symptoms on exposure to cats, and whether there was a history of grass pollen allergy. MAST-CLA testing for specific IgE to cat dander predicted a history of cat allergy with an efficiency of 74.5%, while a positive MAST-CLA test for Cocksfoot grass predicted a history of grass pollen allergy with an efficiency of 85.1%. Similar results were obtained on skin testing for these allergens. We conclude that MAST-CLA gave results comparable to those obtained by skin-prick testing, and correlated equally well with the history of allergic symptoms.