The role of intradermal skin testing in inhalant allergy. 2008

Christopher W Calabria, and Larry Hagan
Department of Allergy and Immunology, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, Texas 78236, USA. christopher.calabria@lackland.af.mil

OBJECTIVE To provide an overview of the role of intradermal skin testing (IDST) in inhalant allergy. METHODS A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE to identify peer-reviewed articles related to IDST using the following keywords: skin testing, intradermal, intracutaneous, aeroallergen, and inhalant allergen. In addition, references cited within these articles were also reviewed. METHODS Articles were selected based on their relevance to the topic. RESULTS The use of IDST for inhalant allergy varies widely among allergists. When performed, it is necessary to use a 100- to 1,000-fold dilution from the stock allergen extract. IDST is used routinely in the standardization of extracts in the United States. With a negative skin prick test result, a positive IDST result has low agreement with in vitro and challenge results and generally adds little to the diagnostic evaluation. In contrast, a negative IDST result generally has a high negative predictive value. Only a few inhalant allergens have been evaluated with challenge models for IDST. A summary of the data is also presented in tabular form. CONCLUSIONS Most of the literature suggests that with a negative skin prick test result, a positive IDST result adds little to the diagnostic evaluation of inhalant allergy. However, additional studies are necessary using challenge models for less potent and nonstandardized inhalant allergens (molds, trees, dog, weeds).

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006967 Hypersensitivity Altered reactivity to an antigen, which can result in pathologic reactions upon subsequent exposure to that particular antigen. Allergy,Allergic Reaction,Allergic Reactions,Allergies,Hypersensitivities,Reaction, Allergic,Reactions, Allergic
D007428 Intradermal Tests Skin tests in which the sensitizer is injected. Passive Transfer Test,Prausnitz-Kustner Test,Intradermal Test,Passive Transfer Tests,Prausnitz Kustner Test,Test, Intradermal,Test, Passive Transfer,Test, Prausnitz-Kustner,Tests, Intradermal,Tests, Passive Transfer
D001985 Bronchial Provocation Tests Tests involving inhalation of allergens (nebulized or in dust form), nebulized pharmacologically active solutions (e.g., histamine, methacholine), or control solutions, followed by assessment of respiratory function. These tests are used in the diagnosis of asthma. Allergen Bronchial Provocation Tests,Allergen Challenge, Endobronchial,Antigen Bronchial Provocation Tests,Bronchial Allergen Challenge,Bronchial Challenge Tests,Inhalation Provocation Tests,Provocation Tests, Bronchial,Endobronchial Challenge Tests,Allergen Challenge, Bronchial,Allergen Challenges, Bronchial,Allergen Challenges, Endobronchial,Bronchial Allergen Challenges,Bronchial Challenge Test,Bronchial Provocation Test,Challenge Test, Bronchial,Challenge Test, Endobronchial,Challenge Tests, Bronchial,Challenge Tests, Endobronchial,Challenge, Bronchial Allergen,Challenge, Endobronchial Allergen,Challenges, Bronchial Allergen,Challenges, Endobronchial Allergen,Endobronchial Allergen Challenge,Endobronchial Allergen Challenges,Endobronchial Challenge Test,Inhalation Provocation Test,Provocation Test, Bronchial,Provocation Test, Inhalation,Provocation Tests, Inhalation,Test, Bronchial Challenge,Test, Bronchial Provocation,Test, Endobronchial Challenge,Test, Inhalation Provocation,Tests, Bronchial Challenge,Tests, Bronchial Provocation,Tests, Endobronchial Challenge,Tests, Inhalation Provocation
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000485 Allergens Antigen-type substances that produce immediate hypersensitivity (HYPERSENSITIVITY, IMMEDIATE). Allergen
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012882 Skin Tests Epicutaneous or intradermal application of a sensitizer for demonstration of either delayed or immediate hypersensitivity. Used in diagnosis of hypersensitivity or as a test for cellular immunity. Skin Test,Test, Skin,Tests, Skin

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