MULTICENTER COMPARISON OF ABBOTT MATRIX(R) AERO(TM) TO PHARMACIA STANDARD RAST(R), MODIFIED RAST AND SKIN PUNCTURE TESTS)

ABBOTT MATRIX (R) Aero (TM) is an enzyme immunoassay which measures sp ecific IgE antibodies to 14 individually calibrated airborne allergens using a single serum specimen. In this study, ABBOTT MATRIX performan ce was evaluated in comparison to the results of skin puncture test an d the Standard and Modified RAST (R) procedures. The ABBOTT MATRIX dem onstrated overall sensitivity of 89% vs. Standard RAST and Modified RA ST, with specificity greater than 92% vs. both methods. ABBOTT MATRIX sensitivity vs. skin test (71%) exceeded that of the Standard and Modi fied RAST procedures (62% and 67% respectively). Positive results repo rted by ABBOTT MATRIX but not RAST were corroborated by skin test resu lts for 3 of 5 allergens evaluated. All in vitro systems demonstrated specificity of approximately 90% vs. skin test. The ABBOTT MATRIX syst em provided results which compared favorably with the results of skin test and RAST, but required less hands-on time to obtain quantitative specific IgE measurements to multiple allergens.