Superiority of Solenopsisinvicta Venom to Whole-Body Extract in RAST for Diagnosis of Imported Fire Ant Allergy
Brian T. Butcher, Richard D. deShazo, Ana A. Ortiz, Margaret A. Reed
Abstract
Brian T. Butcher, Richard D. deShazo, Ana A. Ortiz, Margaret A. Reed
Abstract
RAST determinations using imported fire ant (IFA) whole-body extract (IFAWBE) and venom (IFAV) were performed with the sera of 29 sting-sensitive patients. Only 48% (14/29) of sera were positive (percent binding greater than or equal to 6%) in RAST to IFAWBE compared with 79% (23/29) positive to IFAV, and there was significantly greater binding to IFAV than to IFAWBE (p less than or equal to 0.0002). Thus, RAST with IFAV identified 31% more sting-sensitive individuals than RAST with IFAWBE, a finding similar to that noted in studies using IFAV and IFAWBE for skin testing. We conclude that IFAV is the more appropriate allergen for use in in vitro tests to detect IFA-specific IgE antibody in allergic patients.
OpenAlex reports 12 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.
A contribution statement is not available in the OpenAlex record.
Method details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.
Findings are not separately available in the OpenAlex metadata.
Limitations are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.
Application details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.
RAST determinations using imported fire ant (IFA) whole-body extract (IFAWBE) and venom (IFAV) were performed with the sera of 29 sting-sensitive patients. Only 48% (14/29) of sera were positive (percent binding greater than or equal to 6%) in RAST to IFAWBE compared with 79% (23/29) positive to IFAV, and there was significantly greater binding to IFAV than to IFAWBE (p less than or equal to 0.0002). Thus, RAST with IFAV identified 31% more sting-sensitive individuals than RAST with IFAWBE, a finding similar to that noted in studies using IFAV and IFAWBE for skin testing. We conclude that IFAV is the more appropriate allergen for use in in vitro tests to detect IFA-specific IgE antibody in allergic patients.
Key concepts: Fire ant, Sting, Venom, Allergen, Radioallergosorbent test, Allergy, Immunology, Immunoglobulin E