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[Skin tests, RAST and provocation tests with a purified acarian extract (Pharmalgen) in respiratory hypersensitivity]
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift
|December 1, 1984
Summary
Standardized house dust mite extract effectively diagnosed allergies via provocation tests (PT) in patients with rhinitis and asthma. However, PTs are deemed unnecessary when skin tests and RAST results are already conclusive.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Diagnostic Testing
Context:
- Investigating the diagnostic utility of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (house dust mite) extract.
- Utilizing nasal or bronchial allergic provocation tests (PT) for allergy diagnosis.
- Evaluating patients with diagnosed rhinitis and asthma.
Purpose:
- To determine the diagnostic value of a standardized Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract.
- To assess the necessity of provocation tests (PT) in allergy diagnosis.
- To correlate provocation test results with skin tests and RAST.
Summary:
- A purified and standardized Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract was tested using nasal or bronchial provocation tests (PT) in 50 patients with allergic rhinitis or asthma.
- All patients with positive skin tests and RAST for D. pteronyssinus showed positive PTs; 47% of asthma patients experienced a late-phase bronchial obstruction.
- Provocation tests were negative in 18 non-allergic subjects, indicating specificity, but are considered redundant if skin tests and RAST are positive.
Impact:
- Confirms the specificity of provocation tests (PT) for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergy.
- Suggests that provocation tests may not be required for diagnosing D. pteronyssinus allergy when combined with skin tests and RAST.
- Highlights the potential for late-phase bronchial obstruction in asthma patients undergoing provocation testing.