107 SPECIFICITY AND SAFETY OF THE CONJUNCTIVAL PROVOCATION TEST (CPT)

30 children -age range 3-16 yrs (mean 8 ± 3 SD)- 20 of whom Dermatophagoides pteronissinus (Dt pt) sensitive and 10 other allergens sensitive (control group), were submitted in a blind trial to CPT with Dt p5 extract. None of the patients had been hyposensitised previously, was locally treated with drugs or presented eye involvment. After a preliminary biomicroscopic test, every 20 minutes first an 0,03% albumin solution and then a Dt pt extract at growing concentrations (1,000 - 10,000 - 100,000 BU/ml) were administered alternatively in both eyes. 10 minutes after each instillation allergen-induced eye alterations were observed. A score was given to conjunctival and pericheratic congestion, chemosis and tear secretion. Albumin was never followed by any reaction. The Dt pt allergic patients showed, in comparison with the control group, major eye alterations even at the medium (10,000 BU/ml) Dt pt extract concentration (score 3,6 vs 0,65; P < 0,05). Conjunctival test turns out to be safe, specific, highly sensitive and therefore useful in screening doubtful cases.