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CD63 expression on basophils as a tool for the diagnosis of pollen‐associated food allergy: sensitivity and specificity
Author(s) -
Erdmann S. M.,
Heussen N.,
MollSlodowy S.,
Merk H. F.,
Sachs B.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2222.2003.01660.x
Subject(s) - cd63 , basophil activation , immunoglobulin e , allergen , basophil , allergy , immunology , food allergy , oral allergy syndrome , biology , chemistry , antibody , biochemistry , microvesicles , gene , microrna
Summary Background Basophil activation is associated with the expression of CD63. Because allergens can induce basophil activation by cross‐linking specific IgE, increased CD63 expression has been proposed as a novel in vitro test for immediate type allergy. Objective We compared the CD63‐based basophil activation test (BAT) in the diagnosis of allergy to carrot, celery and hazelnut with skin prick tests (SPT) and measurement of allergen‐specific IgE. Methods Twenty‐nine patients with a history of an oral allergy syndrome induced by carrot, celery or hazelnut ( n = 20 for each allergen) and 20 controls were studied. SPT were performed with standardized and native carrot, celery and hazelnut extracts. Allergen‐specific IgE was determined by the CAP FEIA method and basophil activation was determined by flow cytometry upon double staining with anti‐IgE/anti‐CD63 mAb. Results SPT with native carrot, celery and hazelnut showed sensitivities of 100%, 100% and 90%, and specificities of 80%, 80% and 90%. SPT with commercial extracts of the same allergens gave sensitivities of 85%, 80% and 85%, and specificities of 80%, 80% and 90%. Sensitivity of allergen‐specific IgE and the BAT for carrot, celery and hazelnut was 80% vs. 85%, 70% vs. 85%, and 80% vs. 90%, with corresponding specificities of 80% vs. 85%, 80% vs. 80%, and 95% vs. 90%. The cut‐off for a positive BAT was 10% CD63 + basophils. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between IgE reactivity and the number of CD63 + basophils for all food allergens (carrot: r = 0.69, celery: r = 0.67, hazelnut: r = 0.66). Conclusions Quantification of basophil activation by CD63 expression is a valuable new in vitro method for diagnosis of immediate type food sensitization. Although double‐blind placebo‐controlled food challenges remain the gold standard, the CD63‐based BAT may supplement routine diagnostic tests such as SPT or allergen‐specific IgE in the future.