[Diagnostic methods in allergic asthma].

Analysis of the allergic component in asthma results in a critical comparison of the data provided by the interview, skin tests, possibly completed by carefully selected immunological tests and/or bronchial or nasal stimulation tests. For some allergens, it is also possible to study the allergenic environment of these patients. The skin tests allow an easy analysis of the skin mastocytes carrying specific IgE and degranulating after the allergenic extract has been introduced. Among the in vitro tests, phadiatop represents a screening test of respiratory allergies which is more reliable than total IgE assays. Specific serum IgE assays should be reserved for difficult or conflicting cases. Bronchial allergen stimulation tests confirm the etiopathogenic role of an allergen. A few examples of diagnostic strategies are presented.