The phadiatop test allows adequate screening for atopy with a marked reduction in cost

Sera from 35 patients aged 5 years or younger and sera from 95 patients 6 years and older were assayed for both total IgE level, allergen-specific IgE by RAST and either the Phadiatop Paediatric or Phadiatop procedures, depending on age. Good agreement was found allowing exclusion of specimens anticipated to be RAST negative with an expected reduction in RAST testing of up to 80% of the present workload, without significant exclusion of RAST positive specimens.