Conventional allergy diagnostic techniques are insufficient to determine the etiology of vernal conjunctivitis. Component-resolved diagnostic (CRD) allergy assays using microarrays may be effective in identifying allergens that are involved in the inflammatory process. In a recent trial of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis, substantial clinical improvement was found after 2 years of the CRD-guided exclusion diet and targeted immunotherapy, and 68 percent of patients were released. The new goal was to look for IgE-mediated hypersensitivity in tears and serum from patients with vernal conjunctivitis and to treat individuals with identified triggering allergens with targeted immunotherapy. Twenty-five individuals were examined for vernal conjunctivitis. The detected allergens were n Lol p 1, n Cyn d 1, grass groups 4 and 6, and grass group 5. In one case, both the prick test and pollen IgE were positive. After one year of targeted immunotherapy, 13/25 individuals with vernal conjunctivitis improved clinically.

When compared to prick tests and IgE detection, CRD appears to be a more sensitive diagnostic technique. Patients with vernal conjunctivitis may benefit from specific CRD-led immunotherapy.

Reference:https://journals.lww.com/coallergy/Abstract/2016/10000/Component_resolved_diagnostics_in_vernal.14.aspx

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