Qualitative and quantitative comparison of allergen component-specific to birch and grass analyzed by ImmunoCAP assay...

Background.In the diagnostic work up of allergy, determining allergen component-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) is important for diagnosis, prognosis and choice of treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of the immunoblotting assay (Euroline) in detection of IgE antibodies against timothy grass and birch pollen allergen components compared to fluorescent enzyme assay (ImmunoCAP, Phadia 250). Methods. A total of 128 serum samples from patients allergic to timothy grass and birch pollen were analysed. The levels of IgE antibodies to timothy grass and birch pollen were measured using Euroline DPA-Dx pollen 1 and ImmunoCAP assay. The two methods were then compared on binary (positive vs negative), semi-quantitative (IgE classes) and quantitative (concentration) levels. The two methods were also compared to results from skin prick testing. Results. The Euroline method showed a positive percentage agreement of 93% and negative percentage agreement of 94% with an overall accuracy of 94% when compared to ImmunoCAP. Kappa analysis showed moderate strength of agreement between the methods in determining IgE classes for 7/11 components tested. All components showed a positive correlation when analysed using Spearman's rank correlation. Conclusions. Overall, we found that there is good correlation between the Euroline and ImmunoCAP methods in measuring IgE sensitization.