OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the positivity of Phadiatop® in children from several Brazilian pediatric allergology centers and to compare its results with the presence of serum specific IgE to inhalant and food allergens. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Phadiatop® and serum specific IgE levels (RAST) to inhalant and food allergens (UniCAP - Pharmacia®) were measured in 457 children from several pediatric allergy centers and in a non-allergic control group (n = 62), distributed across five age groups. RESULTS: Phadiatop was positive in 305 atopic children (67.6%) and in 25.8% of controls (p < 0.001). Among atopic children the distribution of positive test varied according to age: 7.9% (24/305) among under 2 year-olds, 15.4% (47/305) in 2 to 3 year-olds, 22% (67/305) in 3 to 4 year-olds, 19.3% (59/305) in 4 to 5 year-olds and 35.4% (108/305) in 5 to 12 year-olds. No concordance between food allergens and Phadiatop® was observed. Analysis of the relationship between positive inhaled allergen RASTs and positive Phadiatop® showed best indices with house dust mites (D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae and Blomia tropicalis). CONCLUSIONS: Phadiatop® is a useful tool for diagnosing domestic mite allergy.
Allergy; food hypersensitivity; IgE; asthma; rinithis
