Korean J Parasitol.  2007 Sep;45(3):239-243. 10.3347/kjp.2007.45.3.239.

Validity of MAST-CLA for diagnosis of arthropod allergy using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis

• Park JS
• Nam HS
• Kim YB
• Choi YJ
• Lee SH
• Kim SH

• KMID: 1104537
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2007.45.3.239

Abstract

Many allergists are currently focusing on the development of new diagnostic tools, and are attempting to improve both the sensitivity and specificity. A multiple allergen simultaneous test-chemiluminescent assay (MAST-CLA) is one of the most popular diagnostic tools used in the Republic of Korea. However, there remains controversy among allergists with regard to the cut-off point for a positive result. The present study was conducted in order to determine the validity of MAST-CLA as compared with that of the skin prick test, with particular emphasis on arthropod allergens, on the basis of percentage agreement rates and k-values, and also to suggest the optimal positive cutoff points using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The study was conducted with 97 subjects (54 men, 43 women). Optimal individual cut-off points were calculated as follows; class II for Dermatophagoides farinae, class I for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and trace for a cockroach mix. These findings suggest that attempting to apply optimal individual cut-off points will be a good way of improving diagnostic tests, particularly MAST-CLA.

Keyword

Dermatophagoides farinae; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; allergy; arthropod; skin prick test; MAST-CLA; ROC; cut-off point

MeSH Terms

Adult
Allergens/*immunology
Animals
Antigens, Dermatophagoides/*immunology
Chemiluminescent Measurements/*methods/standards
Cockroaches/chemistry
Dermatophagoides farinae/chemistry
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus/chemistry
Female
Humans
Hypersensitivity/*diagnosis/immunology
Insect Proteins/*immunology
Male
*ROC Curve
Skin Tests/methods