Allergen extract- and component-based diagnostics in children of the ALLIANCE asthma cohort

BACKGROUND

Current in vitro allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) detection assays measure IgE against allergen extracts or molecules in a single- or multiplex approach. Direct comparisons of the performance of such assays among young children with common presentations of allergic diseases regardless of sensitization status are largely missing.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was a comparison of the analytical and diagnostic performance for common clinical questions of three commonly used technologies which rely upon different laboratory methodologies among children of the All Age Asthma (ALLIANCE) cohort (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02496468).

METHODS

Sera from 106 paediatric study participants (mean age 4 years) were assessed for the presence of sIgE by means of the ImmunoCAP™ sx1 and fx5 mixes, the ImmunoCAP ISAC™ 112 microarray and a Euroline™ panel.

RESULTS

Total and negative concordance was high (>82%->89%), while positive concordance varied considerably (0%-100%) but was also >50% for the most common sensitizations analysed (house dust mite and birch). All three test systems showed good sensitivity and specificity (AUC consistently > 0.7). However, no significant differences with regard to identifying sIgE sensitizations associated with symptoms in children with suspected pollen- or dust-triggered wheeze or presenting with symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis or food allergy were detected. Extending the number of allergens did not change the similar performance of the three assay systems.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Among young children, the three sIgE assays showed good analytical and diagnostic concordance. Our results caution that the identification of larger numbers of sensitizations by more comprehensive multiplex approaches may not improve the clinical utility of sIgE testing in this age group.

Component-Resolved Diagnosis in Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis and asthma are highly prevalent chronic inflammatory diseases leading to restrictions in the patient's quality of life and high costs for healthcare systems. Both diseases are associated with the presence of specific IgE (sIgE) against aeroallergens. This review aims to examine the importance of molecular allergy diagnostics in the assessment and management of these disorders.

CONTENT

The "U-shaped" approach, proposed by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, combines conventional allergy diagnostics with the benefits of component-resolved diagnosis (CRD) and offers important additional information regarding the patient's sensitization pattern, especially in complex clinical cases such as polysensitization or idiopathic reactions, thus avoiding overuse of in vitro and in vivo IgE diagnostics. CRD may help the clinician to identify the cause of an allergy and, in the case of complex polysensitization, uncover possible cross-reactivity. Polysensitization, especially to inhalant allergens, is associated with the clinical appearance of asthma and allergic rhinitis; important risk factors for the latter are the major allergens Fel d 1 and Can f 1. Importantly, information on molecular sensitization patterns significantly influences the choice of specific immunotherapy and reduces its overprescription.

CONCLUSION

At present, allergy diagnostics largely rely on clinical history, physical examination, and in vivo IgE testing. However, in vitro diagnostics including CRD are currently finding their way into the clinical routine and can offer additional information on the patient's sensitization profile and treatment responsiveness.