Skin prick tests (SPT) are commonly used in daily allergological practice to assess skin reactivity to allergens. Multiple factors can contribute to non-optimal results of conventional wheal and flare measurement (CWFM) of SPT such as inaccurate measurements, observer-dependency and absence of traceability. This study aims to evaluate the quantification of SPT by a novel High Speed Laser Doppler Imaging (HSL-DI) and to compare it with CWFM. First, SPT with birch and/or grass pollen extracts as well as positive and negative controls will be performed in 20 volunteers (11 atopics, 9 non-atopics) to establish the characteristics (cut-off, optimal reading time and allergen concentration) of HSL-DI analysis based on two parameters ("area" and "flow" measurement). In a second step, fifty patients will be tested with birch and grass pollen extracts at optimal allergen concentration and time window. Analysis of SPT by HSL-DI and CWFM will be compared.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
50
Reading of allergy skin tests (in response to allergen extracts or histamine or negative control) by HSL-DI versus direct observer evaluation (CWFM)
CHUV , Division of Immunology and Allergy
Lausanne, Switzerland
Skin microcirculation flow changes over time (composite autcome)
Skin microcirculation flow changes will be evaluated at 2.5 min., 5 min., 7.5 min., 10 min., 12.5 min., 15 min., 17.5 min. and 20 min. as measured in a composite outcome 1) by HS-LDI based on parameter "area" corresponding to the total number of non-zero pixels in the flare area and parameter "flow" as measured according to a specific formula in arbitrary units, or 2) as measured by conventional wheal and flare measurement (CWFM, direct observer reading) in mm.
Time frame: tests reading at 2.5 min., 5 min., 7.5 min., 10 min., 12.5 min., 15 min., 17.5 min. and 20 min.
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