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Evaluation of the human basophil degranulation test using the commercially available Baso‐kit as a test of immediate‐type hypersensitivity in hay‐fever sufferers
Author(s) -
LAIWAH A. C. YEUNG,
PATEL K. R.,
SEENAN A. K.,
GALLOWAY E.,
MCCULLOCH W.
Publication year - 1984
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 - 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1984.tb02245.x
Subject(s) - hay fever , degranulation , immunoglobulin e , immunology , medicine , allergy , basophil activation , basophil , radioallergosorbent test , allergen , antibody , receptor
Summary The basophil degranulation test (BDT) has failed to gain popular acceptance as a test of immediate‐type hypersensitivity since its introduction in clinical medicine in 1961. Recent modification of this technique, however, seemed to have increased its reliability. We have studied a group of twenty‐five hay‐fever sufferers and a similar age‐and sex‐matched group of healthy controls to compare the sensitivity of a newly available commercial BDT kit (Baso‐kit, Laboratoire des Stallergenes) with specific serum IgE levels and skin‐prick tests to meadow‐grass pollen. A quantitative correlation was found between the positive BDT (> 30% degranulation) and the skin tests, whereas only a qualitative relationship was obtained with specific IgE concentrations. The BDT also identified two subpopulations of responders and non‐responders among a third group of hay‐fever subjects who had previously been hyposensitized to mixed grass pollen. We conclude that the modified BDT provides a worthwhile addition to the in vitro testing of immediate‐type hypersensitivity states.