Capture EIA for determination of IgE to diphtheria and tetanus toxins in comparison to RIA.

A capture IgE assay in EIA with diphtheria toxin and tetanus toxoid as model systems was developed and evaluated in relation to RIA in a DT booster study. The EIA and the RIA gave very similar results, although the EIA determined IgE over a wider range of concentrations, without interference by other subclasses. The comparison to the capture EIA indicated that the RIA gave more reliable results when a toxin as antigen. Weak correlations between local side effects and IgE responses and differences between vaccine groups were noted by RIA but not by EIA, which correlated better with the clinical findings.