Abstract

This study was concerned with the correlation between skin test, bronchial provocation test, and histamine release from leucocytes and the serum level of total and allergen-specific IgE in patients atopic to house-dust mite allergen (Dermatophagiodes pteronyssinus) as measured by an intracutaneous skin test. It is concluded that, assuming a positive provocation test to be evidence of allergy, estimation of the allergen-specific IgE concentration in the serum will not offer any major advantages over the intradermal skin test in determining the clinical significance of house-dust mite allergy.