Allergy & Dermatology
DST-Diagnostics 'Allergy FAST-Check' S-IgE Assay
The identification of the allergens actually causing the symptoms of allergy conditions (such as hay fever/rhinitis, asthma, conjunctivitis, gastro-intestinal disturbance, etc.) is an important pre-requisite step in order to try to avoid those allergens, and so lessen the immunological stimulation underlying those symptoms.
In addition, it is absolutely essential that a proper and reliable identification of the problem allergens be performed prior to treatment with appropriate Immunotherapy Vaccines.
The allergens that are most usually implicated in this Type I allergy are inhalant allergens such as Grass / Weed / Tree Pollens, Mould Spores, House Dust Mites, Cat & Dog & Horse Epithelia, Injectant allergens such as Bee Venom, and Drugs, and Ingestant Allergens such as various Foods.
The Doctor can often presumptively identify the problem allergens from a careful clinical history and examination. However confirmation of the identity of the problem allergens is most usually required. This can be achieved by eitherin vivo Skin Prick Tests orin vitro Blood Tests to measure allergen-specific IgE.
Traditionally, Skin Prick Tests have been the method of first choice as they are quick (20-30 minutes), inexpensive, and reasonably clinically reliable. However Skin Prick Tests cannot be performed on patients taking anti-histamines and several other types of anti-allergy medication, nor for dangerous allergens (such as peanut), nor for highly sensitised patients, or for allergens for which SPT is not available. For these and other reasons the in vitro blood tests are often used instead of Skin Prick Tests, or used as well as Skin Prick Tests for equivocal results or problem patients.
DST Allergy FASTCheck® POC is a revolutionary and reliable new in vitro test to identify the most common Inhalant allergens and the most common Ingestant allergens, in the Doctors rooms, using finger-prick blood, all in a 20 minute procedure.
The results are provided as either Positive or Negative, i.e. qualitatively, with a clinically appropriate sensitivity cut-off.
The allergens tested for are:
| Inhalant Allergens |
Ingestant Allergens |
| House Dust Mite (d1) |
Whole Hen’s Egg (f74) |
| Grass Pollen Mix (gx3) |
Wheat Flour (f4) |
| Birch Tree pollen (t3) |
Rye Flour (f5) |
| Hazel Tree pollen (t4) |
Fish Mix (fx74) |
| Mugwort pollen (w6) |
Shrimps (f84) |
| Stinging Nettle pollen (w20) |
Cow’s Milk (f199) |
| Cat epithelia (e6) |
Peanut (f13) |
| Dog epithelia (e2) |
Soy Bean (f14) |
| Cladosporium herbarum (m2) |
Hazel Nut (f17) |
| Aspergillus fumigatus (m3) |
Meat Mix (fx73) |
| Alternaria alternata (m6) |
Celery (f85) |
| Latex (k82) |
Carrot (f31) |
Positive and Negative controls are included in each sample run.
Positive results from this panel of 12 Inhalant or 12 Ingestant allergens qualitative tests should usually be followed up with individual confirmatory fully quantitative tests using standard laboratory-based Specific IgE tests (Phadia Specific IgE, “ImmunoCAP RAST” tests) run on whole venous blood samples.
Thesein vitro DST Allergy FAST-Check POC tests may be performed by trained health care professionals in Allergy Clinics, Doctors Rooms and Laboratories.
For further information see the corporate website of DST Diagnostics at:
http://www.dst-diagnostic.org
For further information contact:
Steve Lee
Allergy Division Manager
Mob: 0448-022855
Tel: 02-9882 3666
Fax: 02-9882 3999
E-mail: slee@amsl.com.au
Last updated 27th April 2010
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