An immunologic test used to detect the presence of hypersensitivity to a specific antigen by first injecting a serum from an allergic patient into a non-allergic person and then later injecting the suspected antigen into the same non-allergic person in order to monitor for any allergic reaction
The Prausnitz- Küstner test is an immunologic test to determine the presence of an allergic reaction to a particular antigen. It is done by injecting intradermally a test serum from the atopic (allergic) patient into a non-allergic, healthy person. The latter is then injected with the suspected antigens after 24 to 48 hours and then monitored for any allergic reaction. Because of the risk of the test in transmitting unwanted diseases this test is no longer recommended for use. It is replaced with less risky and rather controlled immunologic tests such as the skin allergy test.
There is a reversed type of Prausnitz-Küstner test. In this test, the antibodies are injected into the skin of the test patient who has the antigen.1
- PK test
- Prausnitz-Küstner reaction
1 Stegman, J. K., Branger, E., ed. (2006), Stedman's Medical Dictionary (28 ed.), Baltimore, MD: Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins.