[Limits of IgE serodiagnosis of occupational respiratory allergies]

In occupational respiratory diseases, it is important to establish the nature of the mechanism involved. The measurement of specific IgE is an excellent tool to prove a type I, IgE mediated, hypersensitivity. There are two distinct kinds of allergens: macromolecular allergens (storage mites, sea products...) which are technically and clinically similar to usual RAST; low molecular weight allergens (haptens such as isocyanates, formaldehyde...). In these cases, the RAST technology is different and the responsibility of specific IgE is less frequent, troubles being usually caused by irritative or toxic properties of these molecules.