BACKGROUND Skin prick test (SPT) and specific IgE (sIgE) are approved for evaluation of allergen sensitization. Local allergen extracts are less expensive and more available but need to be standardized. OBJECTIVE To compare SPT results of local and imported allergen extracts and sIgE levels in response to the American cockroach, dog, cat, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp), Dermatophagoides ...

OBJECTIVE To compare the skin prick test (SPT) with in vitro techniques (single and multiplex fluorescence enzyme-immunoassay [FEIA]) for detecting sensitization to profilin and lipid transfer protein (LTP). METHODS We retrospectively studied 181 patients with pollen and/or plant food allergy and 61 controls. SPT was performed with date palm profilin (Pho d 2) and peach LTP (Pru p 3), and spe...

BACKGROUND The immunological mechanism in aetiology of atopic dermatitis (AD) shows significant differences from other allergic diseases. Allergen inhalation exacerbates AD lesions and AD patients' complaints decrease in house dust mite (HDM) low level environments, which reveals the importance of inhalant allergens. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the skin prick test (SPT) and atopy patch test (APT) ...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the prevalence of aetiological allergens identifiable by skin prick test alone in patients suffering from chronic rhinitis in Hong Kong, and also compare the clinical history and symptoms of skin prick test-positive versus skin prick test-negative patients. DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING Otorhinolaryngology clinic in Queen Mary Hospital of Hong Kong. PATIENTS A t...

BACKGROUND Patient history gives important clues about the likelihood of atopy. However, the accuracy of assessment of atopy based on detailed allergy history is low. The objective of this survey was to determine the successful prediction rate of atopy by a questionnaire and the effect of various factors on the successful prediction. METHODS A standard questionnaire including detailed allergy...

BACKGROUND Skin prick test (SPT) and fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (FEIA) are widely used for the diagnosis of Immunoglobulin-E (IgE)-mediated allergic disease. Basophil activation test (BAT) could obviate disadvantages of SPT and FEIA. However, it is not known whether BAT gives similar results as SPT or FEIA for aeroallergens. OBJECTIVES In this study, we compared the results of SPT, BAT a...

Aeroallergens continue to have a key role in the pathogenesis of asthma and allergic diseases and have recently received increased attention in medical research throughout the world. The prevalence of aeroallergens vary in different regions, depending on the type of climate. The aim of the present study was to determine prevalence of the sensitivity to aeroallergens among patients with asthma a...

PURPOSE The aim of the present study was to compare the prevalence of self-reported and confirmable allergic rhinitis (AR) with positive skin prick test (SPT) results among adults living in urban and rural areas of China. METHODS Adults from a community in Beijing and a village in Baoding were selected as representative urban and rural dwellers, respectively. All eligible residents were enrol...

allergy history. Methods: 42 patients with suspected beta-lactam hypersensitivity reactions were evaluated at a drug allergy clinic at a tertially allergy center. Skin prick tests (SPT) with major determinants (PPL), minor determinants (MDM), penicillin G, ampicillin, amoxicillin, intradermal tests (ID) and specific IgE determination were done. If all tests were negative, a drug challenge was p...