The use of the MeDALL-chip to assess IgE sensitization: a new diagnostic tool for allergic disease?

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Allergic sensitization is frequently present in asthma and rhinitis, but the role of specific immunoglobulin E (s-IgE) is not always clear. Multiple s-IgE analyses may provide insight into this relationship, thus a microarray chip was developed within the EU-funded MeDALL project. The main objective was to evaluate the performance of the MeDALL-chip compared to ImmunoCAP and skin prick test (SPT) in detecting allergic sensitization in children and secondarily to investigate the association to asthma and allergic rhinitis.

METHODS:

From the 'Environment and Childhood Asthma Study', 265 children were investigated at 10 and 16 yr of age with clinical examination, interview, SPT, ImmunoCAP, and the MeDALL-chip including 152 allergen components in the analysis.

RESULTS:

Allergic sensitization at 10 yr was more frequently detected using the MeDALL-chip (38.1%) compared to the ImmunoCAP (32.8%) (p = 0.034) and SPT (25.5%) (p < 0.001), but no significant difference was seen at 16 yr (MeDALL-chip 49.8%, ImmunoCAP 48.6%, SPT 45.8%). The MeDALL-chip did not differ significantly from the ImmunoCAP or SPT in terms of detecting allergic sensitization in subjects with rhinitis or asthma at 10 or 16 yr.

CONCLUSION:

The prevalence of allergic sensitization increased by all three diagnostic tests from 10 to 16 yr was similar by SPT and ImmunoCAP and significantly higher with the MeDALL-chip at 10 yr. All three tests were comparable for identification of allergic sensitization among children with current rhinitis or asthma.

• Authors: Ingebjørg Skrindo, Christian Lupinek, Rudolf Valenta, Vegard Hovland, Sandra Pahr, Alexandra Baar, Kai-Håkon Carlsen, Petter Mowinckel, Magnus Wickman, Erik Melen, Jean Bousquet, Josep M Anto, Karin C Lødrup Carlsen
• Journal: Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (Pediatr Allergy Immunol) Vol. 26 Issue 3 Pg. 239-246 (May 2015) ISSN: 1399-3038 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25720596 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Allergens
• Immunoglobulin E

Topics

• Adolescent
• Allergens (immunology)
• Animals
• Asthma (diagnosis)
• Child
• Diagnostic Tests, Routine
• European Union
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin E (immunology)
• International Cooperation
• Male
• Microarray Analysis
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Prognosis
• Rhinitis, Allergic (diagnosis)
• Skin Tests