Simple Test Screens for Triggers of Allergic Diseases

A semiquantitative enzyme immunoassay determines specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) in serum or plasma.

Allergodip India, an adaptation of Omega Diagnostic’s (Alva, United Kingdom) popular Allergodip assay, offers customized allergen panels for the Indian marketplace.

Allergodip is performed without any laboratory equipment. The solid phase is composed of a chemically activated carrier with covalently bound allergens. The dipstick is incubated with sample (serum/plasma) and the allergen specific IgE binds to the different allergens coupled to the test pads. Excess serum/plasma is subsequently washed away and the dipstick is then incubated with an enzyme, anti-human IgE conjugate. The labeled anti-IgE binds to specific IgE linked to the solid phase. Excess anti-human-IgE is removed under flowing water. The dipstick is incubated with a substrate solution, which in the case of a positive reaction gives rise to a blue color on one or more of the allergen coated test pads. The results of the test are evaluated visually. The intensity of the blue color of each test pad is compared with the color chart and is directly proportional to the concentration of allergen-specific IgE in the serum/plasma.

The quality of results is ensured by integrated positive and negative controls, and the assay has a diagnostic specificity of 100 % and a sensitivity of 97.5 %.

Omega Dx (Asia) is a direct subsidiary of Omega Diagnostics and is located in Mumbai (India). It successfully launched its Allergodip India enzyme immunoassay (EIA) at the World Allergy Organization International Scientific Conference (WISC 2012), held in Hyderabad (India) in December 6–9, 2012.

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Omega Diagnostics