Comparison of skin prick test and prick-to-prick test with fruits and vegetables in the diagnosis of food allergy

Severina Terlouw*, Frank E. van Boven, Monika Borsboom-van Zonneveld, Tineke de Graaf-in ’t Veld, Roy Gerth van Wijk, Paul L.A. van Daele, Maurits S. van Maaren, Jac H.S.A.M. Kuijpers, Sharon Veenbergen, Nicolette W. de Jong

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Introduction: Prick-to-prick (PTP) test with fresh food is accepted as a reliable tool for measuring sensitization to fruits and vegetables. Not all fruits and vegetables are available throughout the year. The objective of this study was to investigate whether skin prick test (SPT) performed with frozen juice of fruits and vegetables (FJFV) is a good alternative to PTP tests performed with fresh fruits and vegetables (FFV). Methods: Adult patients suspected of having a food allergy to fruits and/or vegetables were included. A questionnaire was used to score symptoms after consumption of apple, kiwi, peach, tomato, and carrot. SPTs with FJFV, and PTP tests with FFV were performed. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) between the SPT and PTP test results were calculated. The sensitivity and specificity of both diagnostic tests towards food allergen specific symptoms (FASS) were calculated. Results: Thirty-six patients were included. FASS was positive in 75% for apple, 53% for kiwi, 44% for peach, 25% for tomato, and 22% for carrot. ICC between SPT and PTP test results were moderate for apple (0.72) and kiwi (0.71), strong for peach (0.75) and tomato (0.89), and very strong for carrot (0.94). Sensitivity was equal for the SPT and PTP tests for apple (0.93), peach (0.81), and carrot (1.00), and comparable for kiwi (0.50 resp. 0.70), and tomato (0.44 resp. 0.56). Specificity was equal for apple (0.33), peach (0.15), and carrot (0.41), and comparable for kiwi (0.29 resp. 0.21) and tomato (0.80 resp. 0.72). Conclusions: Results of SPT with FJFV and PTP test with FFV are comparable. SPT with FJFV is a good alternative in the daily practice of the allergists.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere12375
JournalClinical and Translational Allergy
Volume14
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2024

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© 2024 Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam. Clinical and Translational Allergy published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

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