[A comparative study of MAST and CAP RAST with 90 patients with bronchial asthma]

We measured serum IgE antibodies by the MAST and the CAP RAST in 90 patients refered to our asthma clinic and compared their results. Furthermore the patients with CAP positive/MAST negative were investigated by bronchial provocation test with allergen, skin test and CAP RAST inhibition test. Significant correlations were obtained between the results of the MAST and those of the CAP RAST for house dust 2 (r = 0.617), for Dermatophagoides farinae (r = 0.776) and for Japanese cedar (r = 0.609), but not for all 3 mold allergens. CAP positive/MAST negative results were found in 1.4-27.8% and MAST positive/CAP negative results were found in 0-2.7%. The presences of specific IgE antibodies were confirmed by a positive bronchial provocation test with allergen, skin test and CAP RAST inhibition test in CAP positive/MAST negative results. Those results indicate that the CAP RAST is more sensitive than the MAST.