[Serum IgE in allergy examinations using in vitro radioimmunologic tests]

Allergy is a real public health problem and specially respiratory allergy; it concerns 10-15% of the tunisian population according to a WHO data. Besides clinical history, allergy exploration consists of in vivo tests i.e. skin tests and in vitro tests i.e. total and specific, circulating and tissular IgE. A judicious prescription of laboratory tests can supply physician with important data for diagnosis, prediction, prevention and therapeutic control. With O.R.L. or bronchial symptoms, Phadiatop allows the physician to make a trustful screening of an IgE mediated sensitisation towards the most common inhalation allergens, so he can direct the patient towards an allergologist for a specialised investigation. In a clinical context, a well integrated measure of IgE is very helpful for diagnosis, prediction of risk and prevention for children with familial atopy. The RAST, identification of the involved allergen(s), will allow the specific desensitisation and its control.