Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate whether Immfast Check J1®, a new commercial test for specific IgE measurement based on the principle of immunochromatography, could constitute a screening test for the diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis.
Methods: :
A prospective, nonrandomized, and cross-sectional study was conducted in 64 patients with allergic conjunctivitis (allergic group) and the age- and sex-matched 44 healthy control subjects (control group). Specific IgE levels for cedar pollen, cat epithelium, and D. pteronyssinus were measured using Immfast Check J1® in all subjects.
Results: :
The specific tear IgE could be assayed within 30 minutes including the time for tear collection in all patients. The specific IgE positive rates were significantly higher in the allergic group than in the control group (cedar pollen, 96.9% vs. 2.3%, p<0.00001; cat epithelium, 23.4% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.00018; and D. pteronyssinus, 53.1% vs. 2.3%, p<0.00001). The specific IgE score were also significantly higher in the allergic group than in the control group (cedar pollen, p<0.00001; cat epithelium, p = 0.03907; and D. pteronyssinus, p<0.00001).
Conclusions: :
These results suggest that Immfast Check J1® using tear samples is a rapid and easy test to detect allergen-specific IgE in patients with allergic conjunctivitis. The test is reliable and easy to perform even on an outpatient basis.