Comparison of MAST-CLA System Results between Children and Adults with Atopic Dermatitis (2005~2012, Gangwon, Yeongseo Province)

Lee, Noo Ri; Ahn, Sung Ku

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The multiple allergosorbent test chemiluminescent assay (MAST-CLA) system is a simple method with high sensitivity and specificity for measuring total and allergen-specific IgE antibodies in patients with allergic skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and urticaria.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate total IgE class, allergen frequencies, and their correlations in MAST-CLA in children and adults with atopic dermatitis.
METHODS
We performed a retrospective study using medical documents of 2,154 atopic dermatitis patients who visited Yonsei Wonju Severance Christian Hospital between 2005 and 2012. Positive rates of specific IgE and total serum IgE levels in children and adults were analyzed.
RESULTS
Among 2,154 total patients, 1,189 (55.2%) were children and 965 (44.8%) were adults. The mean age was 20.2 years. The number of patients with greater than class 2 total serum IgE levels was 1,612 (74.8%), 814 children (68.5%) and 798 adults (82.7%). In total, 1,213 patients (56.3%) showed positive reactions to at least one allergen-specific IgE. The positive rates were 55.5% and 57.3% in children and adults, respectively. The most commonly detected allergen was Dermatophagoides farinae, followed by D. pterony and house dust in both children and adults. Most patients showed lower positive reactions to food allergens. The most common food allergen was white egg in children and shrimp in adults; 35.3% of the patients who showed positive total IgE did not react to any allergen-specific IgE. In addition, 31.4% of patients with negative total IgE showed positive reactions to more than one allergen-specific IgE. The total IgE level and number of positive allergen-specific IgE results showed good correlation in both children and adults.
CONCLUSION
According to our results, positive rates of both total IgE and allergen-specific IgE were higher in adults with atopic dermatitis than in children. Both adults and children showed higher positive rates for inhalant allergens. Positive rates for food allergens such as egg whites, milk, and soybean were higher in children. The total IgE level and number of positive allergen-specific IgE results showed good correlation in both groups. MAST-CLA would be a simple and convenient method to determine the causative allergen in atopic dermatitis occurrence and exacerbation, but other studies would be necessary for confirmation.