Unscrambling Egg Allergy: The Diagnostic Value of Specific IgE Concentrations and Skin Prick Tests for Ovomucoid and Egg White in the Management of Children with Hen's Egg Allergy. (9th February 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marriage, D. E.; Erlewyn-Lajeunesse, M.; Unsworth, D. J.; Henderson, A. J.
• Other Names: Horner A. Academic Editor.; Kantar A. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: ISRN allergy. Volume 2012(2012)
• Publication Date: 2012-02-09
• Subjects: Allergy -- Periodicals; Allergy -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Allergy and Immunology; Hypersensitivity; Allergy; Allergy -- Treatment; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.97
• DOI: 10.5402/2012/627545
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-5521

Abstract

Abstract : Resolution of egg allergy occurs in the majority of egg allergic children. Positive specific IgE antibodies to ovomucoid (OVM) have been suggested to be of greater predictive value for persistent egg allergy than specific IgE to egg white. The performance of OVM-specific IgE antibody levels in a cohort of children referred for a routine egg challenge was compared with egg white specific IgE levels in predicting a positive egg challenge. 24/47 subjects had persistent egg allergy. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that OVM-specific IgE testing was the most useful test for the diagnosis of persistent egg allergy. The optimal decision points for the prediction of persistent egg allergy were >0.35 kU A / L for specific IgE levels to both EW and OVM, and ≥3 mm for SPT. Children with specific IgE levels suggestive of persistent egg allergy need not be subject to an egg provocation challenge, reducing both costs and risks to the child.