An abnormal inflammatory reaction to substances that are harmless to most people

Allergens are common substances such as pollens, animal hair, molds and foods

It is generally not life threatening It is treatable in some cases A leading cause of school absenteeism A major cause of social and economical

burdens

Allergic Rhinitis Allergic Conjunctivitis Allergic Asthma Food Allergy Allergic Dermatitis (Eczema)

In Europe today, allergic

diseases are among the most

common chronic illnesses of

childhood, affecting more

than one child in four

During the last decades, the

incidence and severity of

allergic diseases has

increased among children all

over the world

• Allergic diseases are observed in 35 % of the general population

• Allergic Rhinitis (hay fever) rate is10-20 %• Allergic Asthma has doubled since the 1980s

- The mortality rate is still low versus rest of the world- Related to modern life style

• Atopic Dermatitis prevalence is 10-12 %- slightly higher in females than in males- 10-20% of children will develop asthma

Population studies show rates of 10-20% But diagnosis rates are only 2% Underdiagnosed and undertreated 62% of patients with rhinitis will consult a physician

• Allergy affects a large portion of the population

• High medical costs

• Low mortality & high morbidity

Quality of life

Risk for chronic disease

• This requires that public health authorities have a rational and coherent policy for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention

Diagnose disease

Classify disease status

Monitor disease

Predict disease

• Delay prevention• Delay investigation of correct diagnosis• Delay optimal treatment• Perpetuate sensitization• Increase severity of disease• Increase risk of allergic fatalities

• Medical History• Physical Examination• In Vivo Testing

- SPT(Skin Prick Testing) - Challenge test

• In Vitro Testing- Panel Test - Single Allergen test

• Skin testing- SPT(Skin Prick Testing) and Intradermal

• Challenge or Provocation test - Highly sensitive but limited to certain allergens

e.g. nasal, bronchial, food- Time-consuming- Potentially dangerous

SPT(Skin Prick Testing)

Advantages• High specificity• Convenience• Can be retested• Unaffected by drugs• Not body-dependent

Disadvantages• More expensive than SPT• Only IgE-mediated

allergy can be detected• ‘Less sensitive’

Patient history may be difficult to take or unclear

Patient may be unsuitable for Skin Prick Test

Provocation test may be too risky or time consuming, or impossible

Single allergen testing not cost effective over the desired range of allergens

May miss implicated allergens with singles or screens

Cost-effective and helpful in confirming or refuting multiple allergies

Allows management of large cohort of patients with allergic or atopic disease

Helpful in identifying cross-reacting allergens

Geographically specific panels

Small test chamber with the capacity to measure up to 36 allergens simultaneously

Three moulded parts create an enclosed chamber

The Pette body includes a channel for fluid flow

The coverslip focusses the light output

The partition separates the wells

1 OPTIGEN solid phase

2 Bound Allergen

3 Patient Primary Antibody to the specif ic allergen

4 Secondary IgE Antibody labeled w ith HRP

5 Substrates catalyzed by HRP

6 Light emission

5

4

3

21

Chemiluminescence

6

OPTIGEN® Universal 20 OPTIGEN® Inhalant 20 OPTIGEN® Food 20 OPTIGEN® Atopy 20Alternaria Alder, Black Almond Apple

Aspergillus Alternaria Apple Aspergillus

Birch, White Bet V 1 Ash Carrot Birch, White Bet V 1Cat Dander-Epithelium Aspergillus Casein Carrot

Cladosporium Birch, White Celery Cat Dander-Epithelium

Cockroach Mix Cat Dander-Epithelium Crab Cladosporium

Dog Dander Cladosporium Egg White Dog Dander

Egg White Dog Dander Egg Yolk Egg White

Fish (Cod) English Plantain Fish (Cod) Fish (Cod)

Latex Guinea Pig Hazelnut (Food) Hazelnut Pollen

Milk Hamster Milk Horse

Mite Farinae Hazelnut (Pollen) Peach Latex

Mite Pteronyssinus Horse Peanut Milk

Mugwort Mite Farinae Potato Mite Farinae

Peanut Mite Pteronyssinus Rye (Food) Mite Pteronyssinus

Ragweed Mix I Mugwort Sesame Seed Mugwort

Rice, White Penicillium Soybean Peanut

Soybean Rabbit Epi Tomato Soybean

Timothy Grass Cultivated Rye Grass Walnut Timothy Grass

Wheat Timothy Grass Wheat Wheat Pollen

Small serum volume300 µL for 20 allergens500 µL for 36 allergens

Same day assay : 2 x 2 hours incubation

Easy to run Includes internal quality indicators