[Comparative study of various technics for measuring serum IgE levels]

In this work we report the results of a comparative study of different techniques to measure specific IgE in sera. Three methods were used, Phadebas RAST, Phadezym RAST (PHARMACIA) and allergen-specific FAST+ test (3M DIAGNOSTICS): 127 sera were tested with several pneumoallergens (housedust, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dactylis glomerata pollen, cat and dog hair). Analysis of the results shows the following correlations: Phadebas and Phadezym RAST 92%; Phadebas RAST and FAST+ 88%; Phadezym RAST and FAST+ 67%; Furthermore, the responses vary according to the allergen. The FAST+ system seems to be more sensitive than the RAST. The RAST must remain the reference method, but it should always be remembered that the different techniques for measurement of specific IgE have their own fields of application.