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Original Article
 

Performance of Different in Vitro Techniques in the Molecular Diagnosis of Peanut Allergy
 

G Javaloyes,1* MJ Goikoetxea,1* I García Núñez,2 ML Sanz,1 M Blanca,2 S Scheurer,3 S Vieths,4 M Ferrer1

1Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
2Research Laboratory for Allergic Diseases, Carlos Haya Hospital-Fundacion IMABIS, Malaga, Spain
3Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines, Division of Allergology, Langen, Germany
*These authors contributed equally to this work.

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2012; Vol. 22(7): 508-513
 

 Abstract


Introduction: Peanut allergy is an increasingly serious disorder with a heterogeneous pattern of sensitization across different countries. In vitro diagnostic techniques may help in establishing these patterns.

Objectives: To analyze the usefulness of determining specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) with the ImmunoCAP fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (FEIA), the ImmunoCAP ISAC CRD103 microarray (ISAC), and the basophil activation test (BAT) in the molecular diagnosis of peanut allergy.

Methods: In 26 peanut-allergic patients, sIgE antibodies against allergic components were measured with FEIA, ISAC, and BAT.

Results: The major peanut component in our population was Ara h 9. The detection of sIgE to Ara h 9 using FEIA and BAT with this allergen yielded a sensitivity of 92% and 88% and a specificity of 95% and 100%, respectively. Overall diagnosis of peanut allergy by ISAC showed a sensitivity of 11% but a specifi city of 95% since Ara h 9 was not present in the microarray version used. There was diagnostic agreement between the 3
techniques for the peanut allergens studied.

Conclusions: The determination of sIgE to Ara h 9 using FEIA and BAT offers high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of peanut allergy in the Spanish population. The CRD103 version of ISAC is not of value in our region as it does not include the most common allergen, Ara h 9.

Key words: Peanut allergy. Molecular diagnosis. Basophil activation test. Ara h 9. Microarray.