Dictionary of Allergies .. Atopy Patch Test

Atopy patch tests (APTs) are considered a testing procedure enabling the identification of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), the IgE associated subgroup of the Atopic Eczema/Dermatitis Syndrome AEDS  reacting with an eczematous reaction to skin contact with allergens.

So far, their reproducibility has been poorly investigated. The immediate type reactions to food can be identified by measurement of specific IgE in combination with positive oral food  challenges quite easily.In spite of that, late phase reactions still present diagnostic difficulties. The APT may be a valuable additional tool in the diagnostic work up of food allergy in children.

References

Niggemann B et al: The atopy Patch Test (APT) in the diagnosis of food allergy in children.The Annual Meeting of EAACI, Brussels, Belgium, 3-7, 1999. Allergy, suppl. 52:54:66, 1999.

Seidenari, S., Giusti, F. & Bertoni, L. Reproducibility of APT.Allergy (2002) 57 (11), 1082-1082.