Comparative evaluation of RAST and FAST for 11 allergens in 288 patients

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Abstract
The specific IgE levels for 11 allergens were compared in 288 patients by means of the Phadebas RAST and the IgE-FAST. Agreement (< 1 class difference) was observed in 78.7% of the cases. The best agreement was observed with Phleum pratense, egg white, corn, Betula verrucosa and cat epithelium. In 91 cases the results were retrospectively compared with clinical data and skin tests. When RAST and FAST differed (n = 31) 93.5% and 51.6% of the respective results were in agreement with the skin test. When RAST and FAST were similar (n = 60) 81.7% and 80.0% of the respective results were in agreement with the skin test. It was concluded that the RAST and the FAST gave similar results in most cases but that the RAST was more sensitive than the FAST, especially when the results obtained with both methods differed.