COMPARING INVESTIGATIONS BETWEEN MAGIC LI TE-SYSTEM AND FAST-SYSTEM IN THE DETERMINATION OF TOTAL AND SPECIFIC IGE

The determinations of total and allergen-specific IgE are well establi shed methods in allergy diagnosis. In 120 cases of patients with suspi cion of atopic dermatitis were determined the total IgE by FAST (Fluor escent-Allergo-Sorbent-Test) from MAST Diagnostica as well as by Magic Lite from Ciba Corning. There were more samples (90/120) with higher results in the determination of total IgE by the Magic Lite-system. In 21 cases the values were the same and in 9 cases there were higher re sults by the FAST-system. All values correlated well (r = 0,92) and a good reproducibility is demonstrated by intraassay and interassay-vari ances. We also Studied FAST and Magic Lite in determinations of allerg en-specific IgE to the following aeroallergens: D. pteronyssinus, thim othy grass pollen, cat epithelium, birch pollen, Cladosporium herbarum , mugwort pollen. In 250 cases from total 318 both methods gave the sa me positive or negative results according to a good rate of concordanc e (78,6%). According to lower variations of the single results the mea n variation coefficient (vc) of FAST (intraassay) was 17,68 and of Mag ic Lite (intraassay) was 6,63. Reflecting the mean variations coeffici ents (vc) of interassay variance (FAST 27,4; Magic Lite 13,05) the Mag ic Lite-system showed the better reproducibility. This was not true fo r all tested allergens in the same way. Altogether the specific parame ters (reproducibility, exactness) of both methods meet all requirement s in modern allergy diagnosis. FAST- and Magic Lite-systems are all we ll established methods in determination of total and specific IgE with regard of practicability and easy handling.