Generality
The Prist Test is an "allergological investigation aimed at measuring the total serum IgE; in practice, it evaluates the concentration of these particular antibodies in a small sample of blood, taken from a vein in the forearm."
The Prist Test investigates the quantity of antibodies involved in allergic reactions (IgE) without establishing their nature; this can eventually be investigated by other allergological techniques, such as the Rast Test.
What's this
The Prist Test is a "second level allergological diagnostic investigation, which can support the suspicion of a sensitization mediated by class E immunoglobulins.
Through this test, the presence of antibodies (total IgE) is assessed without establishing their nature (ie the allergen to which they are directed).
Because it is measured
The Prist Test is a radioimmunoassay method used to evaluate an ongoing allergic process. This test determines the total concentration in the blood of IgE class antibodies (including antibodies that participate in the allergic reaction), but it is not identifying specific allergens. Recall that other conditions and diseases can cause an increase in total IgE (such as, for e.g. parasitic infestations or infectious diseases).
The Prist Test is no more sensitive or specific than skin tests. In the adult, however, the total IgE dosage is always to be carried out for a more correct interpretation of the specific IgE values evaluated by the RAST Test.
The Prist Test is used as a first investigation, in association with the Rast Test, in case of situations that make skin examinations impossible (such as in the case of extensive dermatitis or chronic treatment with an antihistamine).
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