 An abnormal inflammatory reaction to substances that are harmless to most people  Allergens are common substances such as pollens, animal hair, molds and foods  It is generally not life threatening  It is treatable in some cases  A leading cause of school absenteeism  A major cause of social and economical burdens

 Allergic Rhinitis  Allergic Conjunctivitis  Allergic Asthma  Food Allergy  Allergic Dermatitis (Eczema)

In Europe today, allergic diseases are among the most common chronic illnesses of childhood, affecting more than one child in four During the last decades, the incidence and severity of allergic diseases has increased among children all over the world

Allergic diseases are observed in 35 % of the general population Allergic Rhinitis (hay fever) rate is10-20 % Allergic Asthma has doubled since the 1980s - The mortality rate is still low versus rest of the world - Related to modern life style Atopic Dermatitis prevalence is % -slightly higher in females than in males % of children will develop asthma

 Population studies show rates of 10-20%  But diagnosis rates are only 2%  Underdiagnosed and undertreated  62% of patients with rhinitis will consult a physician

Allergy affects a large portion of the population High medical costs Low mortality & high morbidity Quality of life Risk for chronic disease This requires that public health authorities have a rational and coherent policy for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention

 Diagnose disease  Classify disease status  Monitor disease  Predict disease

Delay prevention Delay investigation of correct diagnosis Delay optimal treatment Perpetuate sensitization Increase severity of disease Increase risk of allergic fatalities

Medical History Physical Examination In Vivo Testing - SPT(Skin Prick Testing) - Challenge test In Vitro Testing - Panel Test - Single Allergen test

Skin testing - SPT(Skin Prick Testing) and Intradermal Challenge or Provocation test - Highly sensitive but limited to certain allergens e.g. nasal, bronchial, food - Time-consuming - Potentially dangerous

SPT(Skin Prick Testing)

 Advantages High specificity Convenience Can be retested Unaffected by drugs Not body-dependent  Disadvantages More expensive than SPT Only IgE-mediated allergy can be detected ‘Less sensitive’

Patient h istory may be difficult to take or unclear Patient may be unsuitable for Skin Prick Test Provocation test may be too risky or time consuming, or impossible Single allergen testing not cost effective over the desired range of allergens May miss implicated allergens with singles or screens Cost-effective and helpful in confirming or refuting multiple allergies Allows management of large cohort of patients with allergic or atopic disease Helpful in identifying cross-reacting allergens Geographically specific panels

 Small test chamber with the capacity to measure up to 36 allergens simultaneously  Three moulded parts create an enclosed chamber  The Pette body includes a channel for fluid flow  The coverslip focusses the light output  The partition separates the wells

OPTIGEN® Universal 20OPTIGEN® Inhalant 20OPTIGEN® Food 20OPTIGEN® Atopy 20 AlternariaAlder, BlackAlmondApple AspergillusAlternariaAppleAspergillus Birch, White Bet V 1AshCarrotBirch, White Bet V 1 Cat Dander-EpitheliumAspergillusCaseinCarrot CladosporiumBirch, WhiteCeleryCat Dander-Epithelium Cockroach MixCat Dander-EpitheliumCrabCladosporium Dog DanderCladosporiumEgg WhiteDog Dander Egg WhiteDog DanderEgg YolkEgg White Fish (Cod)English PlantainFish (Cod) LatexGuinea PigHazelnut (Food)Hazelnut Pollen MilkHamsterMilkHorse Mite FarinaeHazelnut (Pollen)PeachLatex Mite PteronyssinusHorsePeanutMilk MugwortMite FarinaePotatoMite Farinae PeanutMite PteronyssinusRye (Food)Mite Pteronyssinus Ragweed Mix IMugwortSesame SeedMugwort Rice, WhitePenicilliumSoybeanPeanut SoybeanRabbit EpiTomatoSoybean Timothy GrassCultivated Rye GrassWalnutTimothy Grass WheatTimothy GrassWheatWheat Pollen

 Small serum volume 300 µL for 20 allergens 500 µL for 36 allergens  Same day assay : 2 x 2 hours incubation  Easy to run  Includes internal quality indicators