Diagnostic Usefulness of the Serum-Specific IgE, the Skin Prick Test and the Atopy Patch Test Compared with That of the Oral Food Challenge Test

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is frequently associated with food allergies. In addition to the skin prick test (SPT) and serum-specific IgE, the atopy patch test (APT) has been introduced as a diagnostic procedure for food allergies.

Objective

Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic value of the APT, the SPT and the serum-specific IgE levels compared with that of oral food challenge test against milk and egg in AD patients.

Methods

We conducted the SPT and APT, and determined the serum-specific IgE levels against milk and egg antigens for 101 patients. Oral food challenge tests were conducted for 86 out of 101 AD patients. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictable values were calculated for all the tests.

Results

Twenty-five patients were positive to oral food challenges. The sensitivity of the APT for milk was 66.7%, while the figures for the SPT and the serum-specific IgE were 35.5% and 14.2%. The sensitivity of the APT for egg was 50%, while that for the SPT and serum-specific IgE were 21.4% and 6.7%.

Conclusion

We were able to conclude that the APT test seems to be a valuable additional tool for the diagnostic method of food allergies in AD.     

Skin Prick Test in Patients with Chronic Allergic Skin Disorders

Background:

Chronic allergic skin disorders are the inflammatory and proliferative conditions in which both genetic and environmental factors play important roles. Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) and atopic dermatitis (AD) are among the most common chronic allergic skin disorders. These can be provoked by various food and aeroallergens. Skin prick tests (SPTs) represent the cheapest and most effective method to diagnose type I hypersensitivity. Positive skin tests with a history suggestive of clinical sensitivity strongly incriminate the allergen as a contributor to the disease process.

Aims and Objectives:

To determine the incidence of positive SPT in patients with chronic allergic skin disorders and to identify the various allergens implicated in positive SPT.

Methods:

Fifty patients of chronic allergic disorders were recruited in this study. They were evaluated by SPT with both food and aeroallergens.

Results:

In our study, SPT positivity in patients of CIU was 63.41% and in AD was 77.78%. Out of the 41 patients of CIU, the most common allergen groups showing SPT positivity were dust and pollen, each comprising 26.83% patients. SPT reaction was positive with food items (21.6%), insects (17.07%), fungus (12.20%), and Dermatophagoides farinae, that is, house dust mite (HDM) (7.32%). The allergen which showed maximum positivity was grain dust wheat (19.51%). Among nine patients of AD, maximum SPT positivity was seen with Dermatophagoides farinae, pollen Amaranthus spinosus, grain dust wheat, and cotton mill dust; each comprising 22.22% of patients.

Conclusion:

Our study showed that a significant number of patients of CIU and AD showed sensitivity to dust, pollen, insects, Dermatophagoides farinae, and fungi on SPT. Thus, it is an important tool in the diagnosis of CIU and AD.     

Patch Testing with Dental Screening Series in Oral Disease

Background

The oral mucosa is constantly exposed to several irritants and allergens including dental materials, but the role of contact allergy in oral disease is obscure.

Objective

To analyze positive patch test results in patients with oral diseases and evaluate the clinical relevance of oral diseases with contact allergy to dental materials.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed patch test results with dental screening series in 44 patients with oral disease from 2004~2011.

Results

Oral diseases included oral lichen planus (54.5%), cheilitis (27.3%), burning mouth syndrome (9.1%), and others (9.1%). Thirty-one of 44 patients (70.5%) had positive reactions to one or more allergens. The most commonly detected allergens were gold sodium thiosulfate (25.0%) and nickel sulfate (25.0%), followed by potassium dichromate (22.7%), cobalt (15.9%), palladium (6.8%), mercury (4.5%), copper (4.5%), and methylhydroquinone (4.5%). Six of 24 patients with oral lichen planus had a symptom in areas adjacent to dental materials and positive patch test reactions to allergens contained in the suspected dental materials.

Conclusion

Patch tests with dental screening series are worth considering for oral diseases, especially for oral lichen planus.     

Patch test results in children and adolescents. Study from the Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte Dermatology Clinic,Brazil, from 2003 to 2010

BACKGROUND

Patch testing is an efficient method to identify the allergen responsible for allergic contact dermatitis.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the results of patch tests in children and adolescents comparing these two age groups'' results.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study to assess patch test results of 125 children and adolescents aged 1-19 years, with suspected allergic contact dermatitis, in a dermatology clinic in Brazil. Two Brazilian standardized series were used.

RESULTS

Seventy four (59.2%) patients had "at least one positive reaction" to the patch test. Among these positive tests, 77.0% were deemed relevant. The most frequent allergens were nickel (36.8%), thimerosal (18.4%), tosylamide formaldehyde resin (6.8%), neomycin (6.4%), cobalt (4.0%) and fragrance mix I (4.0%). The most frequent positive tests came from adolescents (p=0.0014) and females (p=0.0002). There was no relevant statistical difference concerning contact sensitizations among patients with or without atopic history. However, there were significant differences regarding sensitization to nickel (p=0.029) and thimerosal (p=0.042) between the two age groups under study, while adolescents were the most affected.

CONCLUSION

Nickel and fragrances were the only positive (and relevant) allergens in children. Nickel and tosylamide formaldehyde resin were the most frequent and relevant allergens among adolescents.     

A Family-Engaged Educational Program for Atopic Dermatitis: A Seven-Year,Multicenter Experience in Daegu-Gyeongbuk,South Korea

Background

It is important to educate families of pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) so that they have a correct understanding of AD.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to introduce, evaluate, and improve our family-engaged educational program.

Methods

Children suffering from AD and their families have participated in a half-day educational program called "AD school" with catchy slogans such as "Enjoy with AD Families!" every year since 2005. Educational lectures were conducted for parents. For children with AD, various entertaining programs were provided. A feedback survey about AD school was administered for the purpose of evaluation.

Results

A total of 827 people (376 patients and 451 family members) participated in this program over 7 years. On-site surveys showed a positive response (i.e., "excellent" or "good") for the prick test (95.1%), emollient education (78.4%), educational lecture (97.0%), drawing contest and games (90.2%), and recreation (magic show; 99.0%) respectively. Telephone surveys one year later also elicited a positive response.

Conclusion

We herein introduce the experience of a half-day, family-engaged educational program for AD. Family-engaged education programs for AD such as this AD school encourage and validate family participation in the treatment of their children''s AD.     

Are Podoplanin Gene Polymorphisms Associated with Atopic Dermatitis in Koreans?

Background

The histologic characteristics of atopic dermatitis (AD) include perivascular edema and dilated tortuous vessels in the papillary dermis. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the fms-related tyrosine kinase 4 (FLT4) gene is associated with AD.

Objective

To investigate the associations between podoplanin (PDPN) gene SNPs and AD.

Methods

We genotyped 9 SNPs from 5 genes of 1,119 subjects (646 AD patients and 473 controls). We determined the promoter activity of 1 SNP (rs355022) by luciferase assay; this SNP was further investigated using 1,133 independent samples (441 AD patients and 692 controls).

Results

The rs355022 and rs425187 SNPs and the C-A haplotype in the PDPN gene were significantly associated with intrinsic AD in the initial experiment. The rs355022 SNP significantly affected promoter activity in the luciferase assay. However, these results were not replicated in the replication study.

Conclusion

Two SNPs and the C-A haplotype in the PDPN gene are significantly associated with intrinsic AD; although, the results were confirmed by luciferase assay, they could not be replicated with independent samples. Nevertheless, further replication experiments should be performed in future studies.     

Evaluation of the permanence of skin sensitization to allergens in patients with allergic contact dermatitis

BACKGROUND

Patch tests are an efficient method to confirm the etiological diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis.

OBJECTIVES

1) To determine the permanence of results between two tests performed with an interval of at least one year, in patients with allergic contact dermatitis; 2) To compare the positive results according to rates of intensity; 3) To evaluate the permanence of sensitization according to each substance that was tested.

METHODS

Patients with previous diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis, confirmed by patch tests carried out between the years 2005 and 2008, underwent new testing, using the same methodology, and data was compared.

RESULTS

A total of 1470 results of both tests on 49 patients were analyzed. The negative results remained in the second test in a rate of 96%, and 4% became positive (+) without relevance to the clinical history. Moreover, moderately (++) and strongly (+++) positive results were also maintained in, respectively, 86% and 100%. Nevertheless, weakly (+) positive results became negative in 65%. By ignoring all weakly (+) positive tests, the calculation of Kappa Index of Agreement Statistics between the two tests showed a value of 0.88.

CONCLUSION

Patch tests showed to be reliable for negative, moderately (++) positive and strongly (+++) positive results, by reproducing the same standard of individual response to allergens. However, for weakly (+) positive results, tests were not reliable.     

Cyclosporin Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis: Is It Really Associated with Infectious Diseases?

Background

Patients with severe atopic dermatitis (AD) can benefit from cyclosporin (CSA) treatment. Some studies reported that CSA can cause infectious diseases as side effects.

Objective

To investigate the possible association of CSA treatment in AD patients with infectious diseases.

Methods

We performed a case-controled study on 202 patients with AD, 101 of whom were taking CSA and 101 who were not. Retrospective medical record review was held, and the incidence of infectious disease in both groups was compared.

Results

The total number of infectious diseases in the CSA group was slightly lower than in control group but that was not statistically significant. Similarly, the incidence density was almost the same in the two groups. In both groups, eczema herpeticum was the most common infection.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that CSA therapy in AD does not increase the incidence of infectious disease.     

The Influence of Pregnancy and Menstruation on the Deterioration of Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms

Background

Female patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) often experience cutaneous deterioration associated with their pregnancy or menstrual cycle.

Objective

We wanted to determine the prevalence of symptom aggravation as related to pregnancy and the menstrual cycle in female patients with AD.

Methods

One hundred female patients with AD were included in the study and interviews were performed. The total IgE level and the Eczema Area and Severity Index score of the patients were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Ninety seven patients replied the questionnaire, and among them, 23 patients had completed at least 1 pregnancy. Among the 23 women who experienced pregnancy, 14 (61%) had noticed deterioration of their clinical symptoms during pregnancy. Of the 97 females, 31 (32%) patients had noticed deterioration of their AD as related to their menstrual cycle. For the patients who were sub-grouped as the intrinsic type of AD, the prevalence of symptom aggravation as related to pregnancy was significantly higher as compared to that of the extrinsic type of AD patients (p=0.048).

Conclusion

Of the 97 patients, 45 (46%) females answered that they have experienced deterioration of AD during pregnancy or in relation to their menstrual cycle, and this suggests the relation of a hormonal influence on the clinical manifestations of AD.     

Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Atopic Dermatitis in Kerman,a Desert Area of Iran

Background

Epidemiologic studies of atopic dermatitis (AD) in desert areas are still lacking.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of AD in children in Kerman city, a desert area in Iran.

Methods

We evaluated preschool children (age, 2 to 7 years) and primary school students (age, greater than 7 up to 12 years) in Kerman. We selected 865 students to estimate the prevalence and assess other features of AD such as distribution of lesions, personal history, family history of atopy, aggravating factors, associated symptoms, and morphological variants.

Results

The prevalence of AD was 9.1% in our study population. The prevalence of AD was 9.17% and 9.09% in males and females, respectively. The prevalence of AD in the age range of 2 to 7 years was 13.53% and 8.33% among children aged greater than 7 up to 12 years. In total, 82.27% of the patients were in chronic stage of the disease, and 31.6% had a personal history of other atopic diseases. At least one first-degree family member with atopy was seen in 46.83% of the patients. The most common sites of involvement were the head and neck. The most involved areas in the limbs were extensor surfaces. The most frequent morphological variant of AD was the common type.

Conclusion

The prevalence of AD in Kerman was higher than in other Iranian cities but lower than that in developed countries. Diversity in the clinical features of AD has been observed among different studies, and the diagnostic criteria of AD should be adapted in proportion to the studied area.     

The Effect of Gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) Extract on the Stratum Corneum Hydration and Ceramides Content in Atopic Dermatitis Patients

Background

A disruption of the balance between the water content of the stratum corneum (SC) and skin surface lipids may lead to the clinical manifestation of dryness of skin in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).

Objective

To determine whether supplementation of gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon), one of herbs used in East Asia in remedies for various abnormal skin conditions, may improve the SC level of hydration and ceramides, major lipid in SC in patients with AD.

Methods

A total of 28 subjects with AD were randomly assigned into two groups: either gromwell group received dextrose contained capsules with 1.5 g of gromwell extracts or placebo group received only dextrose contained capsules for 10 weeks.

Results

In contrast to no alteration of SC hydration and ceramides in placebo group, the SC hydration in gromwell group was significantly increased in parallel with an increase of SC ceramides. Furthermore, % increase of SC hydration in gromwell group bore a positive correlation with the clinical severity, which suggests that the increase of SC hydration in gromwell group was more effective as AD was more severe.

Conclusion

Supplementation of gromwell improves SC hydration in parallel with an increase of ceramides in part.     

A Randomized, Open-Label, Multicenter Trial of Topical Tacrolimus for the Treatment of Pruritis in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Background

Pruritis caused by atopic dermatitis (AD) is not always well controlled by topical corticosteroid therapy, but use of tacrolimus often helps to soothe such intractable pruritis in clinical settings.

Objective

To determine the anti-pruritic efficacy of topical tacrolimus in treating AD in induction and maintenance therapy.

Methods

Prior to the study, patients were randomly allocated into two groups, induction therapy followed by tacrolimus monotherapy maintenance, and induction therapy followed by emollient-only maintenance. In the induction therapy, the patients were allowed to use topical tacrolimus and emollients in addition to a low dose (<10 g/week) of topical steroids. Patients showing relief from pruritis were allowed to proceed to maintenance therapy. Recurrence of pruritis in maintenance therapy was examined as a major endpoint.

Results

Two-thirds of patients (44/68; 64.7%) showed relief from pruritis after induction therapy. Pruritis recurred in 23.8% (5/21) of the tacrolimus monotherapy group and in 100% (21/21) of the emollient group during maintenance period, a difference that was statistically significant.

Conclusion

Use of topical tacrolimus is effective in controlling pruritis of AD compared to emollient.     

Dietary Pattern and Nutrient Intake of Korean Children with Atopic Dermatitis

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by itching and eczema-like skin lesions, and its symptoms alleviate with age. Recently, the prevalence of AD has increased among adolescents and adults. The increasing prevalence of AD seems to be related to westernized lifestyles and dietary patterns.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary patterns and nutrient intake of patients with AD.

Methods

The study population consisted of 50 children with AD who visited the Department of Dermatology at Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea from May 2008 to May 2009. Physical condition and calorie intake were evaluated using the Eczema Area and Severity Index score and Food Record Questionnaire completed by the subjects, and the data were analyzed using the Nutritional Assessment Program Can-pro 3.0 (The Korean Nutrition Society, 2005) program to determine the gap between the actual ingestion and average requirements of 3 major nutrients (i.e. carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids), vitamins (i.e. A, B, C, and E), niacin, folic acid, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc in all subjects.

Results

The intake rate of proteins was 18.02% (recommended dietary allowance [RDA], 7%~20%), of carbohydrates was 67.7% (RDA, 55%~70%), and of lipids was 14.24% (RDA, 15%~30%). Thirty-one subjects (62%) showed deficiency of folic acid, and 21 subjects (42%), of iron supplements.

Conclusion

Essential nutrient intake tends to be lower in AD patients than in healthy subjects, and this low intake is closely related to the severity of AD.     

特应性斑贴试验在诊断特应性皮炎患儿鸡蛋、牛奶过敏中的价值

目的 探讨特应性斑贴试验(APT)在诊断特应性皮炎(AD)患儿食物过敏中的价值.方法 以中国儿童最常见的过敏食物--鸡蛋、牛奶为抗原,同时采用APT和皮肤点刺试验(SPT)对68例AD患儿进行鸡蛋和牛奶变应原的诊断性检测,并以开放性食物激发试验验证.结果 本组68例AD患儿中,经食物激发试验证实鸡蛋过敏58例(85.3%),牛奶过敏40例(58.8%),两者同时过敏34例(50.0%).98例阳性食物激发试验47例表现为迟发反应,10例为速发反应,41例为混合反应.APT诊断鸡蛋(牛奶)过敏的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值和与食物激发试验的一致率分别为96.6%(67.5%)、90.0%(82.1%)、98.2%(84.4%)、81.8%(63.9%)和95.6%(73.5%),而SPT为37.9%(30.0%)、100.0%(89.3%)、100.0%(80.0%)、21.7%(47.2%)和47.1%(54.4%).APT诊断迟发反应的阳性率显著高于SPT(P<0.01). APT、SPT联合与APT单独应用在诊断鸡蛋和牛奶过敏的差异无统计学意义(并联诊断与APT单独诊断敏感性比较:鸡蛋x2=0.509,牛奶x2=0.549,P>0.05;串联诊断与APT单独诊断特异性比较:鸡蛋P=1.000,牛奶x2=3.514,P>0.05).结论 APT对以迟发反应为主要临床表现的食物过敏的诊断价值显著优于SPT.联合APT和SPT较之单独应用APT并不能提高诊断AD鸡蛋/牛奶过敏的效能.     

Staphylococcus aureus Colonization in Acute and Chronic Skin Lesions of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Background

Staphylococcus aureus (SA) has peculiar abilities to colonize the skin in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients.

Objective

We sought to determine the colonization rates of SA in acute and chronic skin lesions of AD patients, to find any difference in colonization rates according to age and to find the influences of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and eosinophil counts to the colonization of SA.

Methods

We evaluated the total IgE level and eosinophil counts, and cultured SA from the skin lesions of 687 AD patients (131 acute and 556 chronic skin lesions) and 247 control urticaria patients (July 2009 to November 2010; Samsung Medical Center Dermatology Clinic, Seoul, Korea).

Results

The SA colonization rates were 74%, 38% and 3% in acute, chronic skin lesions and control skin, respectively, and they were increased with age in AD patients. The colonization rate in chronic skin lesions was higher in the high IgE/eosinophilia groups as compared to the normal IgE/eosinophil groups.

Conclusion

The SA colonization rate was higher in AD patients and especially in acute lesions, and had a tendency to increase with age. As the colonization rates were only higher in the high IgE/eosinophilia groups of chronic skin lesions, we suggested that SA may invade the skin through barrier defects in acute skin lesions, but the colonization in chronic lesions may be orchestrated through many different factors.     

Vitamin D Status and Its Association with the SCORAD Score and Serum LL-37 Level in Korean Adults and Children with Atopic Dermatitis

Background

Vitamin D insufficiency could be associated with the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD).

Objective

To examine vitamin D status and the relations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, SCORAD score, serum LL-37 level, and body mass index (BMI) in Korean AD patients, and to explore whether these associations differ between adults and children.

Methods

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, serum LL-37, and clinical features were analyzed in a total of 72 Korean patients with AD (39 adults and 33 children) and 140 healthy control subjects (70 adults and 70 children).

Results

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly reduced in children with AD (15.06±4.64 ng/ml) compared with normal children in the control group (16.25±6.60 ng/ml) (p=0.036). Significant inverse correlations were found between BMI and 25-hydroxyvitamin D level (r=-0.315, p=0.007) and between the SCORAD score and serum LL-37 level (r=-0.3, p=0.011) in the total AD patients.

Conclusion

The results showed that serum vitamin D levels were lower in children with AD than in healthy children; however, the same relation was not observed between adults with AD and healthy adults. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was not significantly correlated with AD severity or serum LL-37 levels in our study population.     

特应性斑贴试验在诊断特应性皮炎患儿鸡蛋、牛奶过敏中的价值

目的 探讨特应性斑贴试验(APT)在诊断特应性皮炎(AD)患儿食物过敏中的价值.方法 以中国儿童最常见的过敏食物--鸡蛋、牛奶为抗原,同时采用APT和皮肤点刺试验(SPT)对68例AD患儿进行鸡蛋和牛奶变应原的诊断性检测,并以开放性食物激发试验验证.结果 本组68例AD患儿中,经食物激发试验证实鸡蛋过敏58例(85.3%),牛奶过敏40例(58.8%),两者同时过敏34例(50.0%).98例阳性食物激发试验47例表现为迟发反应,10例为速发反应,41例为混合反应.APT诊断鸡蛋(牛奶)过敏的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值和与食物激发试验的一致率分别为96.6%(67.5%)、90.0%(82.1%)、98.2%(84.4%)、81.8%(63.9%)和95.6%(73.5%),而SPT为37.9%(30.0%)、100.0%(89.3%)、100.0%(80.0%)、21.7%(47.2%)和47.1%(54.4%).APT诊断迟发反应的阳性率显著高于SPT(P<0.01). APT、SPT联合与APT单独应用在诊断鸡蛋和牛奶过敏的差异无统计学意义(并联诊断与APT单独诊断敏感性比较:鸡蛋x2=0.509,牛奶x2=0.549,P>0.05;串联诊断与APT单独诊断特异性比较:鸡蛋P=1.000,牛奶x2=3.514,P>0.05).结论 APT对以迟发反应为主要临床表现的食物过敏的诊断价值显著优于SPT.联合APT和SPT较之单独应用APT并不能提高诊断AD鸡蛋/牛奶过敏的效能.     

Food Hypersensitivity in Patients with Childhood Atopic Dermatitis in Korea

Background

It is well known that atopic dermatitis (AD) is related to food hypersensitivity, although its prevalence varies among several studies according to age group, severity, country, survey time, and test method.

Objective

To examine the prevalence and status of food hypersensitivity among childhood AD patients in Korea.

Methods

A total of 95 patients were enrolled in the study. The history of food hypersensitivity was collected by interviews. The severity of AD was evaluated by eczema area and severity index (EASI). We took blood samples to measure serum total and food-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Based on the histories and serum IgE levels, open oral food challenge (OFC) testing was performed to confirm food hypersensitivity.

Results

Forty-two (44.2%) of the 95 AD patients had histories of food hypersensitivity. They reported that the most common suspicious foods were egg (n=13, 13.7%), pork (n=9, 9.5%) and cow milk (n=8, 8.4%). The mean EASI score was 16.05±9.76. Thirty-nine (41.1%) of the 95 patients showed elevated serum food-specific IgE levels. The specific IgE levels were elevated for egg (n=17, 17.9%), milk (n=12, 12.6%), peanut (n=10, 10.5%) and wheat (n=8, 8.4%). Fifty-one (53.8%) of 95 patients underwent open OFC, and only 7 (13.7%) of these patients showed positive reactions.

Conclusion

The overall prevalence of food hypersensitivity in patients with childhood AD in Korea was 8.3% (7/84). The most common foods causing food hypersensitivity were egg and milk. Among the foods causing hypersensitivity, AD patients in Korea often underestimated peanut, while they overestimated pork.     

特应性斑贴试验在诊断特应性皮炎患儿鸡蛋、牛奶过敏中的价值

目的 探讨特应性斑贴试验（APT）在诊断特应性皮炎（AD）患儿食物过敏中的价值。方法 以中国儿童最常见的过敏食物--鸡蛋、牛奶为抗原,同时采用APT和皮肤点刺试验（SPT）对68例AD患儿进行鸡蛋和牛奶变应原的诊断性检测,并以开放性食物激发试验验证。结果 本组68例AD患儿中,经食物激发试验证实鸡蛋过敏58例（85.3%）,牛奶过敏40例（58.8%）,两者同时过敏34例（50.0%）。98例阳性食物激发试验47例表现为迟发反应,10例为速发反应,41例为混合反应。APT诊断鸡蛋（牛奶）过敏的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值和与食物激发试验的一致率分别为96.6%（67.5%）、 90.0%（82.1%）、98.2%（84.4%）、81.8%（63.9%）和95.6%（73.5%）,而SPT为37.9%（30.0%）、100.0%（89.3%）、100.0%（80.0%）、21.7%（47.2%）和47.1%（54.4%）。APT诊断迟发反应的阳性率显著高于SPT（P < 0.01）。APT、SPT联合与APT单独应用在诊断鸡蛋和牛奶过敏的差异无统计学意义（并联诊断与APT单独诊断敏感性比较：鸡蛋χ2 = 0.509,牛奶χ2 = 0.549,P > 0.05;串联诊断与APT单独诊断特异性比较：鸡蛋P = 1.000,牛奶χ2 = 3.514,P > 0.05）。结论 APT对以迟发反应为主要临床表现的食物过敏的诊断价值显著优于SPT。联合APT和SPT较之单独应用APT并不能提高诊断AD鸡蛋/牛奶过敏的效能。