Comparison of two multiplex arrays in the diagnostics of allergy (Clinical and Translational Allergy 2019, Bojcukova et al.)

The aim of the study was to compare the performance between MADx ALEX with ImmunoCAP ISAC for the most prevalent molecular allergens in the region of Plzen (Czech Republic): Bet v 1 (birch pollen), Phl p 1&5 (timothy grass pollen), Der p 1&2 (house dust mite) and Fel d 1 (cat). In total 198 patients were tested with both systems.

Correlation coefficients (r) were highly significant for every comparison with a range for r from 0.91 (Fel d 1) to 0.95 (Bet v 1), with the other molecular allergens in between.

The Cohen kappa statistic (κ) analysis showed very good agreement (κ>0.81) between the two test methods for the analysed molecular allergens. The κ value was lowest for Fel d 1 (0.83) and highest for Der p 2 (0.91), with the other molecular allergens in between.

All negative control-sera (n=16) showed no IgE-reactivity in both systems.

Conclusion: Despite technical differences, the results showed a substantial agreement between the two methods, similar to other published studies (Heffler 2018, Buzzulini 2019).

This publication is open access: https://ctajournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13601-019-0270-y

Extract and component-specific sensitization patterns in Canadian moderate-to-severe preschool asthmatics (Allergy 2019, Hoang et al.)

In this study by the Canadian institution Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto), 87 pre-school children with moderate-to-severe Asthma were screened for sensitizations with ALEX and skin-prick tests. 67% of those children displayed allergic sensitizations. The most prominent allergen sources detected were peanut (35%), cat (29%), tree-nuts (20-29%), dog and soy (25%) and hen’s egg(24%).

Peanut and cat sensitizations showed the strongest association with clinical surrogate markers of uncontrolled asthma. For Fel d 1, the major allergen from cat, an association with atopic dermatitis was present. This may suggest that the skin is an important sensitization route for this allergen.

Visits to emergency departments and usage of oral corticosteroids were associated with sensitizations to the seed storage proteins from legumes and tree-nuts (peanut: Ara h 1,2,3,6; soy: Gly m 6; hazelnut: Cor a 9, 11, 14) plus sensitizations to the major cat and dog allergens Fel d 1 and Can f 1.

Conclusion: peanut and animal allergens from cat and dog were major allergen sources in the investigated population. Seed storage proteins, as well as Fel d 1 (cat) and Can f 1 (dog) demonstrated the strongest link to clinical markers of asthma severity.

This publication is not open access: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31125434

EAACI, Portugal, June 1st-5th (Booth D17)
The annual meeting of the European Academy of allergology and clinical immunology is an almost mandatory event for all clinicians and researcher in the field of allergology.
Please visit us at our booth at the EAACI in Lisbon. We will present the prototype of our newly developed automated ALEX laboratory instrument and will reveal more information about the upcoming ALEX version 2. See you in Lisbon!

Grazer Allergietag, Austria, September 14th
For the 24th year in a row the working group allergology of the Austrian society of dermatology is organizing this high-level allergy symposium. See you in Graz!

SEAIC, Spain, October 23rd-26th
The annual meeting of the Spanish society of allergology and clinical immunology will be held in Gran Canaria this year. The focus will be on cutaneous allergy, but also molecular allergology will be an important topic. Please visit our booth & see you in Gran Canaria!

ISMA, Netherlands, November 28th-30th
This is the perfect place for all professionals interested in molecular allergology. We will present performance data on some of the new ALEX version 2 molecular allergens. Please visit us at our booth & see you in Amsterdam!