Radioallergosorbent test
Radioallergosorbent test (R.A.S.T.) is a blood test used to determine the substances a subject is allergic to. This is different from a skin allergy test, which determines allergy by the reaction of a person's skin to different substances.
Procedure[edit]
The Radioallergosorbent test is a blood test that uses radioimmunoassay test to detect specific IgE antibodies, to determine the substances a patient is allergic to. The RAST test is used when skin testing for allergies is not possible.
Uses[edit]
The RAST test was once used to test for type I allergies. It has been largely replaced by more accurate, less expensive, and safer methods of allergy testing. The RAST test is now rarely used in clinical settings.
History[edit]
The RAST test was developed by Pharmacia Diagnostics AB in Uppsala, Sweden, and introduced into clinical practice in 1974. The term RAST is actually a brand name, but it is often used generically to describe similar tests that aren't actually the original Pharmacia RAST test.
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References[edit]
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