A comparison of multiple allergen simultaneous tests (MASTs) using allergen-specific IgE concentration and intradermal skin tests in atopic horses with pollen allergy.

Abstract Intradermal tests (IDTs) and measurement of specific immunoglobulin E class (sIgE) levels in sera are the most common and reliable methods used in allergological clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to explore the sensitization of pollen allergy in atopic horses with pollinosis and to assess the diagnostic value of the multiple allergen simultaneous test (MAST) compared with that of the IDT. Twenty-one Malopolski horses with typical skin hypersensitivity symptoms during pollen seasons were enrolled. IDTs were performed, and allergen-specific IgE concentrations in sera were measured using a monoclonal anti-IgE antibody to pollens of grass, weeds, trees and cultivated plants. The highest sensitization rate was for Secale cereale (IDT, 76%; MAST, 66.7%), grass (IDT, 71%; MAST, 57%) and Brassica napus (IDT, 52.4%; MAST, 57%). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) showed that Betula spp., Alnus spp., and Corylus spp. had the highest AUC at 0.854, followed by Secale cereale (AUC=0.796), Plantago lanceolata (AUC=0.726), Brassica napus (AUC=0.704) and a grass allergen mixture (AUC=0.695). The mean AUC for all allergens was 0.712 (0.604-0.867). The overall sensitivity of the sIgE plant horse panel was 78% (range, 68-90%), the specificity was 86.3% (range, 64-100%), and the accuracy was 79% (range, 64-87%). Statistical kappa (κ) agreement between the MAST and IDT was reached for tree (κ=0.767), rye (κ=0.687), colza (κ=0.671), grass (κ=0.664) pollen. The MAST showed a favorable agreement with the IDT and can be used for the detection of sIgE in atopic horses with pollinosis.