Paola Quan

and 12 more

Background: As the use of multiplex specific IgE (sIgE) detection methods becomes increasingly widespread, proper comparative validation assessments of emerging new platforms are vital. The objective of this study was to assess the clinical and technical performance of the ALEX platform (MacroArray Diagnostics), in comparison to the ImmunoCAP ISAC 112 microarray and the ImmunoCAP singleplex method (ThermoFisher Scientific) in the diagnosis of pollen (cypress, grass, olive), dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Alternaria alternata, fruit (apple, peach) and nut (walnut, hazelnut and peanut) allergy. Methods: We enrolled 153 allergic patients and 16 non-atopic controls. sIgE assays were conducted using ISAC112, ALEX version 2 (ALEX2), and ImmunoCAP for whole extracts and major components. Technical validation of ALEX2 was performed by measuring repeatability and inter-assay, inter-batch and inter-lab reproducibility. Results: When measured globally (detection by one or more allergen components), ALEX2 showed adequate sensitivity and specificity for most of the allergens studied, comparable in general to that of ISAC112 (except for olive pollen and walnut) and similar to that of ImmunoCAP whole extract measurements. Component-by-component analysis showed comparable results for all techniques, except for Ole e 1 and Jug r 3 in both ISAC112 and ImmunoCAP comparisons, and Alt a 1, when compared with ISAC112. Continuous sIgE levels correlate with sIgE by ImmunoCAP. Good reproducibility and repeatability were observed for ALEX2. Conclusions: ALEX2 shows sound technical performance, and adequate diagnostic capacity, comparable in general to that of ISAC112 and ImmunoCAP for some aeroallergens and plant-food allergies in Mediterranean patients.

Isabel Torres-Rojas

and 9 more

Background Beta-lactams generate different allergenic determinants that induce selective or cross-reactive drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs). We aimed to identify the drugs involved, the selectivity of the response, the mechanism, and the value of the different diagnostic tests for establishing a diagnosis in children evaluated for DHRs to beta-lactams. Methods Prospective study evaluating children aged under 16 years reporting DHRs to beta-lactams. Reactions were classified as immediate and nonimmediate reactions. The work-up included sIgE, skin testing and drug provocation tests (DPTs) for immediate reactions and patch testing and DPTs for nonimmediate ones. Results Of the 510 included children, 133 were evaluated for immediate reactions and confirmed in 8.3%. Skin test/in vitro IgE contributed to diagnosing half of the cases. Selective reactions occurred with amoxicillin (63%), followed by common penicillin determinants (27%) and cephalosporins (0.9%). Among nonimmediate reactions (11,4% of the 377 children evaluated), most required DPTs, 52.7% of which were positive at 6–7 days of drug challenge. Selective reactions were identified with amoxicillin (80%), penicillin G (7.5%), cephalosporins (7.5%), and clavulanic acid (5%). Urticaria and maculopapular exanthema were the most frequent entities. Conclusions There were few confirmed cases of either type of reaction. Skin testing proved less valuable in nonimmediate reactions, over half of which would also have been lost in a short DPT protocol. Selective responders to amoxicillin were more likely to have nonimmediate reactions, while clavulanic acid-selectivity was exclusive to the nonimmediate typology. Over half the cases with DPTs required 6-7 days of treatment for DHR confirmation.

Francesca Mori

and 10 more