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Prepared by Samuel Breit, Andrew Carr, Tony Kelleher, Bill Sewell
| TEST |
INDICATION |
INTERPRETATION |
| SERUM
IgE |
- Allergic conditions
- Recurrent infections
- Helps distinguish allergy from infection
in children
|
- High levels suggest atopic state
- Very high levels in parasitic
infestations and rare syndromes (lymphoma, some skin diseases)
|
| ALLERGY
SKIN TESTS |
- Suspected atopy, eg asthma, rhinitis
- Confirmation of suspected aetiological
factor in allergic condition.
|
- Positive prick test confirms clinical
suspicion of reactivity to an allergen.
- Negative prick test excludes reactivity
to allergen
- This test should not be done with a
history of anaphylaxis to an allergen without consultation
- Should at least be done 3 days after
cessation of antihistamines
|
| RAST |
- Always use allergy skin tests with
relevant allergens as first line of assesment.
- For detection of IgE antibodies where
skin tests are equivocal or inappropriate, eg anaphylactic reactions, extensive skin
disease.
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- Positive test must be interpreted in
light of history.
- Multiple positive results indicate
atopic state.
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