Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
06:34
A Component-resolved Diagnostic Approach for a Study on Grass Pollen Allergens in Chinese Southerners with Allergic Rhinitis and/or Asthma
Published on: June 4, 2017
Probit analysis applied to the allergen dose-response curve: a method for epidemiologic surveys
G M Corbo1, A Foresi, S Morandini
1Istituto di Clinica Medica, Policlinico A. Gemelli, Universita Cattolica del S. Cuorè, Roma, Italy.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|January 1, 1988
Summary
This study evaluated skin sensitivity to common allergens in schoolchildren using probit analysis. The median effective dose (ED50) proved a reliable allergy index, especially for grass and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in symptomatic children.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Epidemiology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Assessing allergic sensitization in children is crucial for public health.
- Standardized methods are needed to quantify skin sensitivity to common allergens.
- Understanding allergen potency and individual responses informs clinical and epidemiological studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the degree of skin sensitivity to five common allergens in schoolchildren.
- To analyze the frequency distribution of allergen responders using probit analysis.
- To establish the median effective dose (ED50) as a reliable allergy index.
Main Methods:
- A random sample of 295 schoolchildren (ages 11-14) underwent skin testing.
- The threshold dilution technique was used to assess sensitivity to grass, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, mugwort, birch, and Parietaria.
- Probit analysis was employed to determine allergen potency (ED50) and relative potency.
Main Results:
- Allergen ED50 values were similar, except for birch.
- Grass and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus showed significantly lower ED50 in symptomatic versus asymptomatic children.
- Lower fiducial limits of ED50 in symptomatic subjects acted as a cutoff, distinguishing responders.
Conclusions:
- Probit analysis of threshold doses is effective for evaluating skin sensitivity in epidemiological surveys.
- The median effective dose (ED50) is a practical and reliable index for quantifying allergy.
- Findings highlight differences in allergen sensitivity between symptomatic and asymptomatic children.
Related Concept Videos
01:03Dose-Response Relationship: Overview
Agonists can bind with and activate receptors, resulting in the formation of drug-receptor complexes. Once formed, these complexes catalyze many biochemical processes at the cellular level and subsequently induce a pharmacologic response. The degree of response is directly proportional to the fraction of activated receptors, which in turn, depends on the concentration of the drug at the receptor site as well as the sensitivity of the receptor. An increase in the administered dose contributes to...
01:12Analysis of Population Pharmacokinetic Data
Analysis of population pharmacokinetic data involves studying the behavior of drugs within diverse populations to understand their pharmacokinetic parameters. Traditional pharmacokinetic methods typically involve collecting samples from a few individuals and estimating these parameters. While these methods are commonly used, they have limitations in capturing the variability in drug response among individuals or heterogeneous populations. Population pharmacokinetics is employed to address these...
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
01:09Pharmacodynamic Models: Additive and Proportional Drug Effect Model
Drug response models describe how pharmacological agents interact with biological systems to produce measurable effects. Baseline responses are inherent physiological activities without a drug significantly influencing the observed pharmacological outcomes. Depending on the drug response model employed, these baseline responses may combine with the drug's effect in either an additive or proportional manner.Additive Drug Response ModelIn the additive model, the drug effect is independent of the...
01:21Dose Response Curve: Conventional Versus Nonmonotonic
The correlation between a drug's dosage and its impact on a biological system is a cornerstone of pharmacology and toxicology. Conventional dose–response curves, which include graded and quantal relationships, are key to this understanding. Graded dose–response curves depict the spectrum of a biological reaction to different doses within an individual, indicating that as the drug dosage increases, so does the intensity of the response. On the other hand, quantal dose–response relationships...
01:25Statistical Methods for Analyzing Epidemiological Data
Epidemiological data primarily involves information on specific populations' occurrence, distribution, and determinants of health and diseases. This data is crucial for understanding disease patterns and impacts, aiding public health decision-making and disease prevention strategies. The analysis of epidemiological data employs various statistical methods to interpret health-related data effectively. Here are some commonly used methods: