Efficacy of alternative tests for delayed-cyclic food hypersensitivity.

With the oral challenge food test (OCFT) used as the standard for delayed-cyclic food hypersensitivity diagnosis, blinded comparison studies were accomplished with 175 in vitro food specific IgE and 180 IgG radioallergosorbent tests, 180 food enzyme-linked immune complex assays, and 155 in vivo Multi-Test prick tests. The study was multi-centered, eight physicians and 37 patients participating. All of the compared tests were shown to be approximately 50% efficient when compared with the OCFT results, and, thus, nonefficacious.