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Molecular Allergy Diagnostics Using Multiplex Assays

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Molecular Allergy Diagnostics

Abstract

The availability of single allergens and their use in microarray technology enables the simultaneous determination of specific IgE (sIgE) to a multitude of different allergens (>100) in a multiplex procedure requiring only minute amounts of serum. This allows extensive individual sensitization profiles to be determined from a single analysis. Combined with a patient’s medical history, these profiles (a) simplify identification of cross-reactivity, (b) permit a more accurate estimation of the risk of severe reactions, and (c) enable the indication for specific immunotherapy to be more precisely established, particularly in cases of polysensitization. Strictly speaking, multiplex assays are not a single test but instead more than 100 tests with considerable requirements in terms of production, quality control, and data interpretation. The present chapter describes the multiplex test systems currently available and discusses their characteristics. Performance data are presented, and the sIgE values obtained from multiplex and singleplex assays are compared. Finally, the advantages and limitations of molecular allergy diagnostics using multiplex assays in clinical routine are discussed, and innovative possibilities for clinical research are described.

The present chapter is based on, and modified from, an article by the authors published in 2015 in Allergo Journal International (Jakob T, Forstenlechner P, Matricardi P, Kleine-Tebbe J: Molecular allergy diagnostics using multiplex assays: methodological and practical considerations for use in research and clinical routine. Allergo J Int 2015;24: 320–332 DOI 10.1007/s40629-015-0056-2).

The authors gratefully thank Prof. Robert G. Hamilton, PhD, Johns Hopkins Dermatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology (DACI) Reference Laboratory at the Johns Hopkins Asthma & Allergy Center, Baltimore, MD, USA, for reviewing the manuscript, expert editorial assistance, and many helpful suggestions regarding this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center Giessen (UKGM), Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany

    T. Jakob MD, Prof.

  2. Phadia – Thermo Fisher Scientific, Wien, Austria

    P. Forstenlechner PhD

  3. Molecular Allergology and Immunomodulation Working Group, Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany

    P. M. Matricardi MD, Assoc Prof.

  4. Allergy & Asthma Center Westend, Outpatient Clinic Hanf, Ackermann & Kleine-Tebbe, Berlin, Germany

    J. Kleine-Tebbe MD, Prof.

Authors
  1. T. Jakob MD, Prof.
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  2. P. Forstenlechner PhD
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  3. P. M. Matricardi MD, Assoc Prof.
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  4. J. Kleine-Tebbe MD, Prof.
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Correspondence to T. Jakob MD, Prof. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Professor of Dermatology and Allergology, Allergy and Asthma Center Westend Outpatient Clinic Hanf, Ackermann and Kleine-Tebbe, Berlin, Germany

    Jörg Kleine-Tebbe

  2. Professor of Dermatology and Allergology Chairman of the Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center Gießen and Marburg Campus Gießen Justus Liebig University Gießen, Gießen, Germany

    Thilo Jakob

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Jakob, T., Forstenlechner, P., Matricardi, P.M., Kleine-Tebbe, J. (2017). Molecular Allergy Diagnostics Using Multiplex Assays. In: Kleine-Tebbe, J., Jakob, T. (eds) Molecular Allergy Diagnostics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42499-6_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42499-6_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-42499-6

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