Aim: Estimation of specific IgE is essential for the prevention of allergy progression. Quantitative immuno-PCR (qiPCR) can increase the sensitivity of IgE detection. We aimed to develop qiPCR and compare it to the conventional ELISA in identification of IgE to Alt a 1 and Fel d 1 allergens.
Results: Single stranded 60-mer DNA conjugated to streptavidin was used to detect antigen-IgE-biotin complex by qiPCR. In semi-logarithmic scale qiPCR data were linear in a full range of serum dilutions resulting in three- to ten-times higher sensitivity of qiPCR in comparison with ELISA in IgE estimation in low titer sera.
Conclusion: Higher sensitivity of qiPCR in identification of low titer IgE is a result of a higher linearity of qiPCR data.
Keywords: Alt a 1; ELISA; Fel d 1; IgE; allergy; quantitative immuno-PCR; recombinant allergens.