Diagnostic accuracy of skin prick test and specific IgE and their association with Total IgE, AEC and serum cortisol in Indian patients with respiratory allergy

Background: Indian subcontinent has high burden of patients suffering from respiratory allergy associated with food sensitization. Immune response is different in skin and blood for allergen sensitization . Skin Prick Test (SPT) and Specifi c IgE (s IgE) allergen positivity is an evidence of sensitization. Both these tests (SPT & sIgE) are often used interchangeably in clinical practice of allergic disorders. In our study the concordance relevance of various tests SPT, sIgE, Total IgE, Absolute Eosinophil Count (AEC) & Serum Cortisol was investigated in 75 patients of respiratory allergy. The aeroallergens were divided into four groups (Dust mite, Pollen, Fungi, Cockroach) & 7 Foods (Milk, Soybean, Wheat, Fish, Peanut, Egg white, Yeast). Total 35 common allergens were tested by SPT. Serum Specifi c IgE estimation was carried out with 16 allergens (D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae, Alternaria alternata, Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, mesquite (Prosopis julifl ora), common pigweed, goosefoot lamb's quarter (Chenopodium album), cockroach and seven food allergens (milk, soybean, wheat, fi sh, peanut, egg white, yeast).