Inhalant allergens and ELISA as valuable tool in diagnosis

ABSTRACT

One hundred patients [50 Saudi and 50 Egyptian patients] with perennial rhinitis and perennial rhinitis with seasonal exacerbation were examined clinically and by means of laboratory investigations to shed light about the pathogenesis of the disease and the clinical value of various tests in the assessment of the patients. In 65 percent of the cases [50 percent of the Egyptian and 80 percent of the Saudi patients] allergy was proven. The most common allergen is weed pollen mix followed by grass pollen mix and house dust in Egyptian patients and by house dust and grass pollen mix in Saudi patients. In this study, investigations of blood eosinophils, total IgE and circulating specific IgE antibodies in the patient's sera by enzyme linked immunoassay [ELISA] were found to be of value in the assessment of patients with allergic rhinitis. Advantages and disadvantages of ELISA have been discussed. Combination of skin prick test and ELISA is recommended to increase the reliability of both tests