AGREEMENT BETWEEN RADIOALLERGOSORBENT TEST AND SKIN-TEST

Abstract

A total of 4260 RAST [radioallergosorbent test] results were compared with the same number of prick and intracutaneous [human] skin test results. Intracutaneous tests were done only when the prick test was negative. The mean agreement between positive RAST and positive prick test was 81.3% for 5 grasses [Cynodon dactylon, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca elatior, Lolium perenne and Poa pratensis], 45.1% for 7 weeds [Ambrosia elatior, A. psilostachya, Artemisia absinthium, A. vulgaris, Franseria acanthicarpa, Plantago lanceolata and Salsola kali], 42.2% for 2 trees [Juglans californica and Olea europaea], 42.6% for 2 molds [Aspergillus fumigatus and Alternaria tenuis] and 45.8% for 2 environmental antigens. The mean agreement between positive RAST and positive intracutaneous test ranged from 0-4.9% for the same antigens.