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Radioallergosorbent test
View on Wikipedia| Radioallergosorbent test | |
|---|---|
| MeSH | D011852 |
| LOINC | 13834-7 |
A radioallergosorbent test (RAST) is a blood test using radioimmunoassay test to detect specific IgE antibodies in order to determine the substances a subject is allergic to. This is different from a skin allergy test, which determines allergy by the reaction of a person's skin to different substances.[citation needed]
Medical uses
[edit]The two most commonly used methods of confirming allergen sensitization are skin testing and allergy blood testing. Both methods are recommended by the NIH guidelines and have similar diagnostic value in terms of sensitivity and specificity.[1][2]
Advantages of the allergy blood test range from: excellent reproducibility across the full measuring range of the calibration curve, it has very high specificity as it binds to allergen specific IgE, and extremely sensitive too, when compared with skin prick testing. In general, this method of blood testing (in-vitro, out of body) vs skin-prick testing (in-vivo, in body) has a major advantage: it is not always necessary to remove the patient from an antihistamine medication regimen, and if the skin conditions (such as eczema) are so widespread that allergy skin testing cannot be done. Allergy blood tests, such as ImmunoCAP, are performed without procedure variations, and the results are of excellent standardization.[3]
Adults and children of any age can take an allergy blood test. For babies and very young children, a single needle stick for allergy blood testing is often more gentle than several skin tests. However, skin testing techniques have improved. Most skin testing does not involve needles and typically skin testing results in minimal patient discomfort.[citation needed]
Drawbacks to RAST and ImmunoCAP techniques do exist. Compared to skin testing, ImmunoCAP and other RAST techniques take longer to perform and are less cost effective.[4] Several studies have also found these tests to be less sensitive than skin testing for the detection of clinically relevant allergies.[5] False positive results may be obtained due to cross-reactivity of homologous proteins or by cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs).[6]
In the NIH food guidelines issued in December 2010 it was stated that "The predictive values associated with clinical evidence of allergy for ImmunoCAP cannot be applied to other test methods."[7] With over 4000 scientific articles using ImmunoCAP and showing its clinical value, ImmunoCAP is perceived as "Gold standard" for in vitro IgE testing[8][9]
Method
[edit]The RAST is a radioimmunoassay test to detect specific IgE antibodies to suspected or known allergens for the purpose of guiding a diagnosis about allergy.[10][11] IgE is the antibody associated with Type I allergic response: for example, if a person exhibits a high level of IgE directed against pollen, the test may indicate the person is allergic to pollen (or pollen-like) proteins. A person who has outgrown an allergy may still have a positive IgE years after exposure.[citation needed]
The suspected allergen is bound to an insoluble material and the patient's serum is added. If the serum contains antibodies to the allergen, those antibodies will bind to the allergen. Radiolabeled anti-human IgE antibody is added where it binds to those IgE antibodies already bound to the insoluble material. The unbound anti-human IgE antibodies are washed away. The amount of radioactivity is proportional to the serum IgE for the allergen.[12]
RASTs are often used to test for allergies when:
- a physician advises against the discontinuation of medications that can interfere with test results or cause medical complications;
- a patient has severe skin conditions such as widespread eczema or
- a patient has such a high sensitivity level to suspected allergens that any administration of those allergens might result in potentially serious side effects.
Scale
[edit]The RAST is scored on a scale from 0 to 6:
| RAST Rating | IgE Level (kU/L) | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | level < 0.35 | Absent or undetectable allergen specific IgE |
| 1 | 0.35 ≤ level < 0.70 | Low level of allergen specific IgE |
| 2 | 0.70 ≤ level < 3.50 | Moderate level of allergen specific IgE |
| 3 | 3.50 ≤ level < 17.50 | High level of allergen specific IgE |
| 4 | 17.50 ≤ level < 50.00 | Very high level of allergen specific IgE |
| 5 | 50.00 ≤ level < 100.00 | Ultra high level of allergen specific IgE |
| 6 | level ≥ 100.00 | Extremely high level of allergen specific IgE |
History
[edit]The market-leading RAST methodology was invented and marketed in 1974 by Pharmacia Diagnostics AB, Uppsala, Sweden, and the acronym RAST is actually a brand name. In 1989, Pharmacia Diagnostics AB replaced it with a superior test named the ImmunoCAP Specific IgE blood test, which literature may also describe as: CAP RAST, CAP FEIA (fluorenzymeimmunoassay), and Pharmacia CAP. A review of applicable quality assessment programs shows that this new test has replaced the original RAST in approximately 80% of the world's commercial clinical laboratories, where specific IgE testing is performed. The newest version, the ImmunoCAP Specific IgE 0–100, is the only specific IgE assay to receive FDA approval to quantitatively report to its detection limit of 0.1kU/L. This clearance is based on the CLSI/NCCLS-17A Limits of Detection and Limits of Quantitation, October 2004 guideline.[citation needed]The guidelines for diagnosis and management of food allergy issues by the National Institute of Health state that:
In 2010 the United States National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases recommended that the RAST measurements of specific immunoglobulin E for the diagnosis of allergy be abandoned in favor of testing with more sensitive fluorescence enzyme-labeled assays.[13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ NIH Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States. Report of the NIAID- Sponsored Expert Panel, 2010, NIH Publication no. 11-7700.
- ^ Cox, L. Overview of Serological-Specific IgE Antibody Testing in Children. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. 2011.
- ^ Hamilton R et al. Proficiency Survey-Based Evaluation of Clinical Total and Allergen-Specific IgE Assay Performance. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2010; 134: 975–982
- ^ UpToDate (http://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-skin-testing-for-allergic-disease)
- ^ Chinoy B, Yee E, Bahna SL. Skin testing versus radioallergosorbent testing for indoor allergens. Clin Mol Allergy. 2005 Apr 15;3(1):4.
- ^ Holzweber, F. (2013). "Inhibition of IgE binding to cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants enhances diagnostic selectivity". Allergy. 68 (10): 1269–1277. doi:10.1111/all.12229. PMC 4223978. PMID 24107260.
- ^ Boyce J et al. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States: Report of
- ^ Wood R; et al. (2007). "Accuracy of IgE antibody laboratory results". Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 99 (1): 34–41. doi:10.1016/s1081-1206(10)60618-7. PMID 17650827.
- ^ Wang J, Godbold JH, Sampson HA (2008). "Correlation of serum allergy (IgE) tests performed by different assay systems". J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 121 (5): 1219–24. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2007.12.1150. PMID 18243289.
- ^ American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, "Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question" (PDF), Choosing Wisely: an initiative of the ABIM Foundation, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, retrieved August 14, 2012
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Cox, L.; Williams, B.; Sicherer, S.; Oppenheimer, J.; Sher, L.; Hamilton, R.; Golden, D. (2008). "Pearls and pitfalls of allergy diagnostic testing: Report from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology/American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Specific IgE Test Task Force". Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 101 (6): 580–592. doi:10.1016/S1081-1206(10)60220-7. PMID 19119701.
- ^ WebMD > Medical Dictionary > radioallergosorbent test (RAST) Citing: Stedman's Medical Dictionary 28th Edition. Copyright 2006
- ^ NIAID-Sponsored Expert Panel (December 2010). "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States: Report of the NIAID-Sponsored Expert Panel". The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 126 (6): S1 – S58. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2010.10.007. PMC 4241964. PMID 21134576. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
External links
[edit]- Allergies - Americal Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology
- Allergy Blood Testing - Lab Tests Online
- Radioallergosorbent+Test at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Radioallergosorbent test
View on GrokipediaIntroduction and Background
Definition and Purpose
The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) is an in vitro immunoassay that quantifies serum levels of allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies through radioimmunoassay techniques, where allergens are bound to a solid phase and detected via radiolabeled anti-IgE antibodies.[5] This blood-based method provides a non-invasive means to assess IgE-mediated immune responses without exposing patients to potential allergens directly.[1] The primary purpose of the RAST is to diagnose IgE-mediated allergic sensitivities, particularly type I hypersensitivity reactions, in individuals who cannot undergo skin prick testing due to conditions such as extensive dermatoses (e.g., severe eczema), ongoing antihistamine or corticosteroid therapy, or in very young infants where skin tests may be impractical or unreliable.[6] It serves as a reliable alternative to in vivo skin tests, enabling the identification of triggers that provoke immediate allergic responses like anaphylaxis, urticaria, or respiratory symptoms.[7] By measuring specific IgE, the test aids clinicians in confirming allergy diagnoses and guiding avoidance strategies or immunotherapy.[8] Developed as a complement to skin prick tests, the RAST and modern specific IgE assays derived from it can evaluate sensitivities to over 1,000 distinct allergens, encompassing categories such as foods (e.g., peanuts, shellfish), inhalants (e.g., pollen, dust mites), venoms (e.g., bee stings), and drugs (e.g., penicillin).[3] This broad applicability makes it valuable for pinpointing culprits in complex allergic profiles, though results must always be interpreted alongside clinical history to avoid overdiagnosis.[9]Underlying Principle
The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) operates on the principle of radioimmunoassay to detect and quantify allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in patient serum. Allergens are covalently coupled to a solid-phase matrix, typically cyanogen bromide-activated paper discs or cellulose particles, which serves as an insoluble support to immobilize the allergens and facilitate separation of bound from unbound components. Patient serum is then incubated with this allergosorbent, allowing specific IgE antibodies to bind to their corresponding allergens through antigen-antibody interactions. Unbound serum components are removed by washing, after which radiolabeled anti-IgE antibodies—commonly tagged with iodine-125 (¹²⁵I)—are added to bind to the captured IgE. The amount of radiolabeled anti-IgE bound to the complex is proportional to the concentration of specific IgE in the original serum sample, and radioactivity is measured using a gamma counter to provide a quantitative readout.[10][5] This assay leverages the high specificity of antigen-antibody binding, where IgE molecules selectively recognize and attach to their target allergens amid a complex mixture of serum proteins. The radiolabeling with ¹²⁵I enables sensitive detection of even low levels of IgE, as the gamma emissions from the isotope can be precisely quantified without interference from biological matrices.Methodology
Test Procedure
The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) begins with the collection of a venous blood sample from the patient, typically 5-10 mL, to obtain sufficient serum for analysis.[11] No special patient preparation is required beyond avoiding potential interferents such as recent allergen immunotherapy, which may alter IgE levels.90062-8/fulltext) The blood sample is allowed to clot at room temperature for 30-60 minutes, followed by centrifugation at 1,000-2,000 × g for 10 minutes to separate the serum from cellular components.[12] The resulting serum is then aliquoted and stored refrigerated or frozen until testing in a certified clinical laboratory.[13] In the laboratory, the serum is incubated with an allergen-coated solid phase, such as paper discs or microcrystalline cellulose, allowing specific IgE antibodies to bind to the immobilized allergen; this step typically lasts 2-24 hours at room temperature or overnight to ensure adequate binding.[14] Unbound components, including non-specific IgE, are removed through multiple washing steps (3-4 times) with a buffer solution, followed by centrifugation at 1,000 × g for 10 minutes and aspiration of the supernatant.[14] Next, a radiolabeled anti-IgE antibody, commonly iodinated with 125I, is added to the solid phase to bind the captured allergen-specific IgE, followed by a second incubation period of 1-18 hours. A final series of washes (typically 4 times) removes unbound radiolabeled antibody, and the bound radioactivity is measured using a gamma counter to quantify the signal.[14] Results are calculated by comparing the sample's radioactivity to a standard curve generated from known concentrations of IgE, enabling determination of specific IgE levels.90378-7/fulltext) The entire process, performed in certified laboratories under strict quality controls, has a typical turnaround time of 1-2 weeks from sample receipt.[13] Due to the use of radioactive materials like 125I, RAST procedures must adhere to regulations set by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), including proper handling, shielding, waste disposal, and personnel monitoring to ensure safety.[15]Preparation and Allergens
The preparation of serum samples for the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) begins with a standard venipuncture to collect whole blood, typically in a serum separator tube, followed by centrifugation to isolate the serum.[16] Hemolysis, which imparts a pinkish or reddish tint to the serum due to erythrocyte rupture, and lipemia, caused by elevated lipid levels leading to turbidity, must be avoided as both can interfere with immunoassay accuracy by affecting optical readings or antibody binding.[17] If the serum is not analyzed immediately, it should be separated from cells within 4 hours and stored at -20°C to maintain stability for up to several weeks, preventing degradation of IgE antibodies.[18] Panel selection for RAST is guided by the patient's clinical history to identify suspected allergens, opting for targeted single-allergen tests or broader multiplex panels as needed, while avoiding indiscriminate screening that could lead to unnecessary results.[16] Multiplex assays facilitate the simultaneous evaluation of multiple allergens from a single serum sample, enhancing efficiency for patients with potential polysensitization.[19] Common allergen categories tested via RAST include aeroallergens such as pollens (e.g., short ragweed, Bermuda grass) and dust mites (e.g., Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus), foods like milk, eggs, peanuts, and tree nuts, drugs such as penicillin, and haptens including latex components.[16] These utilize standardized extracts from FDA-approved suppliers, with 19 officially standardized products available across categories like grasses, weeds, mites, cat dander, and insect venoms to ensure consistent potency and reliability.[20] Although commercial assays offer panels with over 120 allergen extracts and components, testing is restricted to clinically relevant ones to reduce false positives, which occur in 50% to 60% of cases when unrelated allergens are included due to cross-reactivity.[21][22] The approximate cost per allergen in RAST or equivalent specific IgE testing ranges from $40 to $100, depending on the laboratory and panel complexity.[23][24]Interpretation and Results
Scoring Scale
The results of the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) are typically reported in quantitative units of kU/L (kilo units per liter) for allergen-specific IgE levels, calibrated against the World Health Organization (WHO) international standard for total IgE, where 1 kU/L aligns approximately with 1 international unit (IU) per liter or 2.4 ng/mL of IgE protein.[25][26] These measurements provide a semi-quantitative assessment to guide the interpretation of allergic sensitization severity, with higher values indicating greater levels of specific IgE antibodies.[16] To facilitate clinical reporting, RAST results are often classified into a semi-quantitative scale ranging from class 0 to class 6, based on predefined kU/L thresholds that correlate with the degree of positivity.[13] The positive threshold is generally set at greater than 0.35 kU/L, though this may vary slightly depending on the specific allergen tested.[16] The following table summarizes the standard class system:| Class | kU/L Range | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | < 0.35 | Negative |
| 1 | 0.35–0.7 | Weak positive |
| 2 | 0.7–3.5 | Positive |
| 3 | 3.5–17.5 | Positive |
| 4 | 17.5–52.5 | Strong positive |
| 5 | 52.5–100 | Strong positive |
| 6 | >100 | Very strong positive |
