Rast

RAST is the acronym for "Radio-Allergo-Sorbent-Test". RAST is an in vitro radioimmunological test (see RIA), which is used for the qualitative comparison of allergens as well as for the quantitative determination of the allergenic activity of allergen extracts. The binding of allergen-specific IgE antibodies to a solid phase-bound allergen is inhibited by the dissolved allergen. The degree of inhibition of IgE binding depends on the concentration of the soluble allergen. For qualitative comparison, the inhibition curves of the test sample are compared with the inhibition curve of a reference preparation for the quantitative determination of the allergenic activity. S.a. CAP, PRIST, RIST.

The methods commonly used today for the detection of allergen-specific IgE are based on ELISA methods.

1. Hamilton RG, Adkinson NF Jr (2003) Clinical laboratory assessment of IgE-dependent hypersensitivity. J Allergy Clin Immunol 111: S687-701
2. Szeinbach SL (2001) Precision and accuracy of commercial laboratories' ability to classify positive and/or negative allergen-specific IgE results. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 86: 373-381