Prick and intracutaneous testing and ige testing

Abstract

Immediate-type allergies are frequent in specific occupational environments. Most important is to consider the possibility of occupational factors in allergic diseases. Depending on the substance, immunological and non-immunological mechanisms may be relevant for symptom elicitation. Standardized test preparations for in vivo and/or in vitro testing for specific IgE to occupational allergen sources are rare. False-negative as well as false-positive test reactions may occur with current test methods for detection of specific IgE to occupational allergen sources. Skin prick testing, intracutaneous testing and in vitro investigation of specific IgE constitute one component in a stepwise assessment for diagnosis of allergen-induced occupational diseases. High- and low-molecular-weight allergens have to be considered as occupational allergen sources in specific work environments.