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  • Title: Evaluation of the utility of atopy patch testing, skin prick testing, and total and specific IgE assays in the diagnosis of cow's milk allergy.
    Author: Keskin O, Tuncer A, Adalioglu G, Sekerel BE, Sackesen C, Kalayci O.
    Journal: Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol; 2005 May; 94(5):553-60. PubMed ID: 15945559.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Information on the utility of atopy patch testing (APT) in the diagnosis of food allergy is derived from studies of children with atopic dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of APT in the diagnosis of cow's milk allergy (CMA) and to determine interleukin 4 and interferon-gamma production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. METHODS: Thirty-seven children (median age, 11 months) with suspected CMA who had a variety of symptoms that involved many organ systems were evaluated using double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges (DBPCFCs), and the performances of milk specific IgE, skin prick testing (SPT), and APT were determined. To search for a possible relationship between the diagnostic tests and the TH1/TH2 immune response, we measured interferon-gamma and interleukin 4 levels in the supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures. RESULTS: Seventeen children with positive DBPCFC results and 6 with a history of anaphylaxis were diagnosed as having CMA. The combined use of APT and SPT had a sensitivity of 100% and a negative predictive value of 100% but a specificity of 50% and a positive predictive value of 76%. The addition of milk specific IgE assays to APT and SPT did not improve these values. Pattern of cytokine secretion was not associated with APT positivity or a specific response to DBPCFC. CONCLUSIONS: Atopy patch testing may be a useful adjunct to SPT in excluding CMA in children who have allergic manifestations other than atopic dermatitis. However, DBPCFCs are still necessary in the presence of positive test results.
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