Diagnostic validity of specific immunoglobulin E levels to alpha-gal in alpha-gal syndrome: a cross-sectional analysis

BackgroundThe diagnosis of Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS) is based on the presence of symptoms after being exposed to potential sources of alpha-gal together with values of specific IgE (sIgE) to alpha-gal >= 0.1 kUA/L or >= 0.35 kUA/L. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic validity o...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: German-Sánchez, A, Alonso-Llamazares, A, García-González, F, Matala-Ahmed, B, Melgar-Reyes, CS, Antepara-Ercoreca, I
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunitat Valenciana (FISABIO)
Repositorio:r-FISABIO. Repositorio Institucional de Producción Científica
OAI Identifier:oai:fisabio.fundanetsuite.com:p16691
Acceso en línea:https://fisabio.portalinvestigacion.com/publicaciones/16691
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Diagnostic validity
Specific immunoglobulin E
Alpha-gal syndrome
Food allergy
Descripción
Sumario:BackgroundThe diagnosis of Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS) is based on the presence of symptoms after being exposed to potential sources of alpha-gal together with values of specific IgE (sIgE) to alpha-gal >= 0.1 kUA/L or >= 0.35 kUA/L. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic validity of sIgE levels to alpha-gal >= 0.1 kUA/L for identifying AGS.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional analysis of adult patients with available data on sIgE levels to alpha-gal, classified into two groups according to the presence (Group 1) or absence (Group 2) of symptoms after being exposed to potential sources of alpha-gal. Values of sIgE to alpha-gal >= 0.1 kUA/l were considered a positive result. A descriptive analysis of internal and external validity parameters was performed in the entire population and adjusted by sex.ResultsThe study included 33 individuals in Group 1 and 65 in Group 2, with a mean age of around 47 years. The analysis of internal validity parameters revealed a high sensitivity, specificity, and positive probability ratio, with higher sensitivity in men and higher specificity in women. The analysis of external validity parameters showed a high negative predictive value and global value in all populations and both sexes. However, the positive predictive value was relatively high in men, but low in women.ConclusionsOur results suggest that sIgE levels >= 0.1 kUA/L may be a useful tool for the diagnosis of AGS, although other factors and diagnostic techniques should also be considered.