Multi-Centre Comparison of Abbott Matrix® Aero™ to Pharmacia Standard Rast®, Modified Rast and Skin Puncture Tests

ABBOTT MATRIX® Aero™ is an enzyme immunoassay which measures specific IgE antibodies to 14 individually calibräted airborne allergens using a single serum specimen. In this study, ABBOTT MATRIX performance was evaluated in comparison to the results of skin puncture test and the Standard and Modified RAST® procedures. The ABBOTT MATRIX demonstrated overall sensitivity of 89% vs. Standard RAST and Modified RAST, with specificity greater than 92% vs. both methods. ABBOTT MATRIX sensitivity vs. skin test (71%) exceeded that of the Standard and Modified RAST procedures (62% and 67% respectively). Positive results reported by ABBOTT MATRIX but not RAST were corroborated by skin test results for 3 of 5 allergens evaluated. All in vitro Systems demonstrated specificity of approximately 90% vs. skin test. The ABBOTT MATRIX System provided results which compared favoräbly with the results of skin test and RAST, but required less hands-on time to obtain quantitative specific IgE measurements to multiple allergens.