Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of conjunctival provocation test (CPT) using standardized extract of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinusin(Der P) in pediatric respiratory allergic diseases.Methods: A total of 220 children (5-15 years of age) with definite diagnosis of asthma and/or allergic rhinitis were approached from January to December, 2011. Informed consent was obtained from 100 children (45.5%; 71 boys, 7.86 ± 2.92 years of age, and 29 girls, 7.19±2.34 years). All subjects received the examinations: CPT, skin prick test (SPT), serum specific IgE to Der P(SIgE D1), pulmonary ventilation test and Bronchial provocation test(BPT), to assess the airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR).Results:Of the 100 children, 56 cases had positive CPT . No severe adverse events were noticed during the testing. 66 cases had positive SPT. SIgE D1 was detected in 53 cases. The rate of positive results did not differ across CPT, SPT and SIgE D1 (Χ²= 3.409,ρ> 0.05). Higher degree of positivity in CPT was associated with higher degree of positive reaction in both SPT and SIgE D1 (Γ = 0.695 and 0.587, respectively; ρ< 0.001 for both). Using SPT as the reference, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy index of CPT were 80.3%, 91.2%, 94.6%, 70.5%, and 84.0% for CPT, and 75.8%, 88.2%, 92.6%, 65.2%, and 80.0% for SIgE D1.The number of Der P extract that triggered positive CPT also correlated with the degree of AHR (Γ= 0.517,ρ< 0.001) .Conclusions: CPT could be developed as an additional tool for the diagnosis response to SPT and SIgE D1.
- © 2014 ERS
