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What is ImmunoCAP Specific IgE blood testing?
ImmunoCAP is an assay designed to rule in or rule out atopy
in patients with allergy-like symptoms. ImmunoCAP testing
provides a clinically relevant means of confirming or excluding
the presence of atopic disease in patients with common
childhood diseases, upper respiratory diseases, and lower
respiratory diseases (including asthma). It also accurately
identifies and quantifies specific allergen sensitivities
in patients with confirmed allergy.
What does ImmunoCAP measure?
This in vitro quantitative test measures allergen-specific
IgE in human serum or plasma. It is intended for in vitro diagnostic
use as an aid in the clinical diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergic
disorders in conjunction with other clinical findings. ImmunoCAP
assays can be performed on hundreds of allergens such as
grasses, weeds, trees, pollens, mold, food, and animal dander.
How does this test compare with other technologies?
The technology used in ImmunoCAP is a vast improvement over
earlier blood allergy testing (eg, RAST™). The FDA
cleared ImmunoCAP as a truly quantitative assay for the
measurement of IgE. This means ImmunoCAP accurately and
quantitatively determines if patients are allergic and
helps you pinpoint what they are allergic to. A study published
in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology demonstrated
that ImmunoCAP outperformed all other specific IgE lab
tests, and is the standard for accuracy and reliability.1
In another study that assessed sensitivity, specificity,
predictive values, and clinical efficiency of skin prick
tests and in vitro testing, the results delivered
with ImmunoCAP were found to be equal to skin prick testing
and significantly better than intradermal testing.2 In
vitro blood testing has evolved over the years to become
a valuable clinical tool in primary care. In assessing
the accuracy of this technology, Robert G. Hamilton, director
of The Johns Hopkins University Dermatology, Allergy and
Clinical Immunology Reference Laboratory, has observed
that in vitro blood testing and skin prick testing
can be viewed as “interchangeable.”3
How were the ImmunoCAP pre-selected profiles created?
To aid in the process of choosing allergens for testing,
Phadia has developed pre-selected allergen
profiles for ImmunoCAP. Regional inhalant profiles, which
may include up to 20 allergens, have been selected based
on the prevalence of indoor and outdoor allergens common
to particular regions, such as pollens specific to certain
geographic areas. ImmunoCAP profiles have been engineered
to include inhalant allergens characterized by high cross-reactivity—that
is, allergens that elicit patient sensitivity similar to
certain other allergens within the same species.4
In children, six foods account for 90% of food allergy reactions.5 The
ImmunoCAP Allergy March profiles include not only key food
allergens but also inhalant allergens
that have been selected to reflect common sensitivities in
children.
ImmunoCAP testing employs specific IgE levels calibrated
to detect more than 95% of patients with allergy.3,6-8
How can I be sure that a pre-selected allergy profile
will include the specific allergen(s) affecting my patient?
Although the small number of allergens included on each ImmunoCAP
profile may cause clinicians to question the test’s
results, you can rest assured that each profile includes
allergens known for their cross-reactivity between common
pollens or inhalant allergens. Sensitivity to many allergens,
such as pollens, will reflect similar results from other
allergens within the same species.4 In
addition, it has been shown that the inclusion of at least
one highly prevalent inhalant allergen in a panel can identify
more than 95% of allergic patients. 9,10
In children, six foods account for 90% of food allergy reactions.5 The
ImmunoCAP Allergy March profiles include not only key food
allergens but also inhalant allergens
that have been selected to reflect common sensitivities in
children.
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