Microarrays of recombinant hevea brasiliensis proteins: A novel tool for the component-resolved diagnosis of natural rubber latex allergy

Background: component-resolved diagnosis using microarray technology has recently been introduced in clinical allergology,but its applicability in patients with natural rubber latex (nrl) allergy has not been investigated,objectives: to evaluate the utility of microarray-based immunoglobulin (ig) e detection in the diagnostic workup of nrl allergy and to compare this new diagnostic tool with established methods of nrl-specific ige detection,methods: we investigated 52 adults with immediate-type nrl allergy and 50 control patients. determination of specific serum ige against 8 recombinant hevea brasiliensis allergen components was performed using a customized allergen microarray and a conventional fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (feia),results: the panel of microarrayed allergen components was shown to represent a comprehensive repertoire of clinically relevant nrl proteins. nrl-specific ige recognition patterns and sensitization rates determined by microarray analysis were similar to those obtained by conventional feia. the diagnostic sensitivity rates of combined single-component data were not significantly different for the respective recombinant test system,whereas the sensitivity level of extract-based feia analysis was markedly higher,conclusion: the current study provides evidence that microarrays of recombinant nrl allergen components are a suitable new tool for the diagnosis of nrl-specific sensitization. they show performance characteristics comparable to those of current diagnostic tests and could be indicated in small children in whom only limited blood volumes are obtainable. further large-scale studies in unselected patient populations and in high-risk groups are warranted before the microarray can be introduced into routine management of patients with nrl allergy. © 2010 esmon publicidad.