Comparison of two different assays and the predictive value of allergen components in house dust mite allergy.

AIM: In house dust mite (HDM) allergy diagnostics, the IMMULITE, ImmunoCAP and assays for allergen components (nDer p 1 and rDer p 2) are available.

METHODS: Serum sIgE levels were compared and the predictive values for the detection of an early asthmatic response (EAR) were calculated with receiver operating characteristics and a log-logistic regression model.

RESULTS: sIgE levels of IMMULITE and ImmunoCAP were similar (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus [D. pter.] 47.3 ± 35.7 and 42.9 ± 34.4 kU.l-1 ; p = 0.23). ImmunoCAP slgEs exhibited similar accuracy in detecting an EAR, area under the curves (AUCs): D. pter. (0.76); Dermatophagoides farinae (0.79); nDer p 1 (0.69); and rDer p 2 (0.72). At low sIgE concentrations (3.5 kU.l-1 ), rDer p 2 was more specific and better predicted an EAR (probability rDer p 2: 62%; D. pter.: 19%).