Validity of MAST-CLA for diagnosis of arthropod allergy using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.
10.3347/kjp.2007.45.3.239
- Author:
Joon Soo PARK
1
;
Hae Seon NAM
;
Yong Bae KIM
;
Young Jin CHOI
;
Sang Han LEE
;
Sung Ho KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan, Korea.
- Publication Type:Brief Communication ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Validation Studies
- Keywords:
Dermatophagoides farinae;
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus;
allergy;
arthropod;
skin prick test;
MAST-CLA;
ROC;
cut-off point
- MeSH:
Adult;
Allergens/*immunology;
Animals;
Antigens, Dermatophagoides/*immunology;
Chemiluminescent Measurements/*methods/standards;
Cockroaches/chemistry;
Dermatophagoides farinae/chemistry;
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus/chemistry;
Female;
Humans;
Hypersensitivity/*diagnosis/immunology;
Insect Proteins/*immunology;
Male;
*ROC Curve;
Skin Tests/methods
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology
2007;45(3):239-243
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Many allergists are currently focusing on the development of new diagnostic tools, and are attempting to improve both the sensitivity and specificity. A multiple allergen simultaneous test-chemiluminescent assay (MAST-CLA) is one of the most popular diagnostic tools used in the Republic of Korea. However, there remains controversy among allergists with regard to the cut-off point for a positive result. The present study was conducted in order to determine the validity of MAST-CLA as compared with that of the skin prick test, with particular emphasis on arthropod allergens, on the basis of percentage agreement rates and k-values, and also to suggest the optimal positive cutoff points using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The study was conducted with 97 subjects (54 men, 43 women). Optimal individual cut-off points were calculated as follows; class II for Dermatophagoides farinae, class I for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and trace for a cockroach mix. These findings suggest that attempting to apply optimal individual cut-off points will be a good way of improving diagnostic tests, particularly MAST-CLA.