Table 1 Characteristics of various specific allergen tests
Test | Substance tested | Number of allergens tested per test | Readout |
|---|---|---|---|
Allergy tests in vivo | |||
● Skin prick test | sIgE to whole natural allergen | On average 40 allergens | Semi-objective (physician measures wheal/flare) |
● Nasal provocation test | sIgE to whole natural allergen | 1 allergen at a time (maximum 3–4 per session) | Subjective/Objective |
● Conjunctival provocation test | sIgE to whole natural allergen | 1 allergen at a time (maximum 3–4 per session) | Subjective/Objective |
Allergy tests in vitro | |||
● sIgE to a batch of allergens (Immulite, Microtest, RAST) | sIgE to whole natural allergen (s) | On average 20–60 allergens | Objective |
● Molecular-based allergy diagnostics: sIgE to microarray-based allergen protein components (ImmunoCAP [single allergen assay], ISAC [multiplex assay]) | sIgE to allergen protein components | 1 to >100 allergen protein components | Objective |
● Basophil/histamine release, BAT | Effect of allergen on patient’s basophils | 1 allergen at a time (maximum several allergens/session) | Objective |