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

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The 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.

METHODS:

This 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.

RESULTS:

The 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.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our 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.

• Authors: Adrián Germán-Sánchez, Ana Alonso-Llamazares, Fernando García-González, Bakai Matala-Ahmed, Ceny Solani Melgar-Reyes, Ignacio Antepara-Ercoreca
• Journal: Allergy, asthma, and clinical immunology : official journal of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol) Vol. 19 Issue 1 Pg. 102 (Nov 30 2023) ISSN: 1710-1484 [Print] England
• PMID: 38037176 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2023. The Author(s).