ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Allergic patients showing a simultaneously positive reaction to multiple allergens are frequently found. The purpose of this study was to analyze the pattern of simultaneously positive results to the allergens of MAST CLA Korean inhalant and food panels. METHODS: From March 2004 to March 2005, we analyzed the results of the MAST CLA allergy test performed at Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital. During this period, 1, 421 inhalant panels and 331 food panels were tested. RESULTS: Mite-farinae (40.3%) and mite-pterony (34.8%) specific IgE were the most frequently detected in the inhalant panel and also in the food panel. Simultaneously positive rates to two or more allergens were 41.9% (595/1421) in the inhalant panel and 32.3% (107/331) in the food panel. Allergens with a highly positive rate (Mite-f, Mite-p, house dust) were frequently detected simultaneously with other allergens, and allergens known to have cross-reactivity showed simultaneously positive results among themselves (i.e. among various pollen allergens; among allergens associated with the pollen-food syndrome; among grain allergens; among milk and cheese; among fungi allergens; among house dust mites and house dust; among cockroach, crab and shrimp; and among cat and dog). CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous positivity on the MAST CLA allergy test can be found frequently among various allergens, especially allergens with cross-reactivity. More advanced techniques using recombinant allergens may be needed for further analysis of this finding.