COMPARATIVE-EVALUATION OF THE PHARMACIA CAP SYSTEM AND THE DPC ALASTAT SYSTEM FOR INVITRO DETECTION OF ALLERGEN-SPECIFIC IGE WITH THE SKIN PRICK TEST

Allergen-specific IgE concentrations for 6 inhalant allergens were com pared in 54 subjects, using the Pharmacia CAP System and the DPC AlaST AT System. Similar results were obtained in 91.6% of the tests. In 8% of the tests a positive score was obtained for the Pharmacia CAP Syste m whereas a negative result was found by use of the DPC AlaSTAT System . A negative Pharmacia CAP System result combined with a positive DPC AlaSTAT System result occurred only in 0.4% of the tests. Sensitivity and specificity was established for the Pharmacia CAP System and the D PC AlaSTAT System by comparison with results of the skin prick test. R esults obtained with the Pharmacia CAP System were found to be of slig htly higher sensitivity than those obtained by DPC AlaSTAT System and of similar or slightly lower specificity.