J Clin Pathol Qual Control.  1999 Jun;21(1):243-249.

Allergen Frequencies on MAST CLA by Age Groups Using New Korean Panel

• Park KI
• Chun HS
• Shin JW
• Kim HS
• Song KS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Atopic allergy is a hypersensitive immunologic condition mediated by serum immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE antibody binds to receptors on the surface of mast cells and basophilic leukocytes and subsequent binding of allergen to specific cell-bound IgE triggers cell degranulation and the release of vasoactive amines. The MAST CLA (multiple allergosorbent chemiluminescent assay) is an in vitro test for use in the semiquantitative determination of circulating allergen-specific IgE concentrations in human serum. In this study, we analyzed the allergen frequencies by age groups using new MAST CLA Korean panel.
METHODS
Seven hundred seventy nine patients requested for MAST CLA in Yongdong Severance hospital were evaluated from December 1997 to April 1998. We analyzed the results of MAST CLA and compared the positive rates of specific IgE with that of total serum IgE by age groups.
RESULTS
Four hundred seventy six males and 303 females were included in this study and the age distribution of these patients was a followed : 0~2 years, 89 patients ; 2~9 years, 426 ; 10~19 years, 117 ; 20~29 years, 55 ; 30~39 years, 40 ; older than 40 years, 52. Total serum IgE level was increased with age and the number of positive allergens. Commonly detected allergens were Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and housedust. In most cases, these allergens were co-existed in the same patients. In the group of ages 0~2 years, egg white, milk, and cheddar cheese were commonly detected. Only 6 patients (0.8%) showed positive results to the new Korean panel.
CONCLUSIONS
D. farinae, D. pteronyssinus and housedust were commonly detected allergens in all age groups except the group aged 0~2 years. The added allergens in new panel were considered as not so effective for identification of causative allergen in atopic allergy in this country.

MeSH Terms

Age Distribution
Allergens
Amines
Basophils
Cell Degranulation
Cheese
Dermatophagoides farinae
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
Dust
Egg White
Female
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulins
Leukocytes
Luminescent Measurements
Male
Mast Cells
Milk
Allergens
Amines
Dust
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulins