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Monitoring honeybee venom immunotherapy in children with the basophil activation test
Author(s) -
Žitnik Simona E. K.,
Vesel Tina,
Avčin Tadej,
Šilar Mira,
Košnik Mitja,
Korošec Peter
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
pediatric allergy and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.269
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1399-3038
pISSN - 0905-6157
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2011.01233.x
Subject(s) - basophil activation , cd63 , medicine , venom , allergy , allergen , basophil , immunology , anaphylaxis , immunoglobulin e , antibody , biology , ecology , microrna , biochemistry , microvesicles , gene
To cite this article: Žitnik SEK, Vesel T, Avčin T, Šilar M, Košnik M, Korošec P. Monitoring honeybee venom immunotherapy in children with the basophil activation test. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011 Doi: 10.1111/j.1399‐3038.2011.01233.x Abstract Background: New in vitro methods are essential for developing better follow‐up criteria for venom immunotherapy (VIT). Methods: Thirty‐one children with a history of honeybee venom–induced systemic anaphylaxis were included in this prospective, single‐blinded study. The basophil CD63 activation test (BAT) was assessed before starting VIT, at the end of the build‐up phase (day 5), 6 months later, and after 2–4 yr of VIT. Results: Basophil CD63 activation test allowed identification of the culprit insect in 74% of honeybee venom–allergic children. In comparison, IgE reactivity was single positive in only 52% of children. Five days after starting VIT, BAT was highly comparable to before VIT. However, after 6 months and further after 2–4 yr of VIT, a significant and approximately fourfold decrease was demonstrated in CD63 response at sub‐maximal 0.1 μg/ml allergen concentration, which mainly represents cellular sensitivity. No such differences were found at a higher 1 μg/ml of allergen concentration. Person‐to‐person analyses showed that after 2–4 yr of VIT, a marked CD63 decrease was evident in 85% of children. In addition, elevated basophil sensitivity measured before VIT was associated with the appearance of side effects observed during the build‐up phase of VIT. Conclusion: Basophil CD63 allergen–specific sensitivity seems to be a promising tool for monitoring protective immune response in honeybee VIT.