Diagnostic tests based on human basophils: more potentials and perspectives than pitfalls. II. Technical issues.

Full Abstract

Cellular basophil activation tests (BAT) such as histamine or sulfidoleukotriene-release tests for allergy diagnosis have been available for some time, but expression of basophil-activation markers such as CD63 and CD203c detected by flow cytometry has attracted particular attention in recent years. Not only the potential but also the possible pitfalls of flow-cytometric BAT have been stressed recently. Some authors have suggested that the technical problems are still such that BAT should only be performed in specialist laboratories. In an earlier review based on our clinical experience obtained over several years, we showed that, even using different protocols, reproducible and meaningful clinical results can be obtained. In this paper, we review the current knowledge in relation to several technical issues and show that flow-cytometric BAT already represents a major advance in the field of in vitro allergy diagnosis. We conclude that there are no serious technical justifications for depriving allergic patients of clinically indicated BAT tests, which can be performed reliably by any laboratory with the appropriate experience in allergy diagnosis and flow cytometry.

Author information

Author/s: De Week, A L (AL); Sanz, M L (ML); Gamboa, P M (PM); Aberer, W (W); Bienvenu, J (J); Blanca, M (M); Demoly, P (P); Ebo, D G (DG); Mayorga, L (L); Monneret, G (G); Sainte Laudy, J (J);

Affiliation: University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: Journal of investigational allergology & clinical immunology : official organ of the International Association of Asthmology (INTERASMA) and Sociedad Latinoamericana de Alergia e Inmunología (J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol), published in Spain. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-; vol 18 (issue 3) : pp 143-55

Dates: Created 2008/06/20; Completed 2008/10/06;

PMID: 18564624, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Antigens, CD - immunology; metabolism
Basophil Degranulation Test - methods
Basophils - immunology; metabolism
Calcium - metabolism
Flow Cytometry
Histamine Release
Humans
Hypersensitivity - diagnosis; immunology; metabolism

Immunoglobulin E - blood
Interleukin-3 - immunology; metabolism
Leukotrienes - immunology; metabolism
Lymphocyte Activation
Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases - immunology; metabolism
Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins - immunology; metabolism
Protein Kinases - metabolism
Pyrophosphatases - immunology; metabolism

Associated Chemicals: Antigens, CD (0) ; ENPP3 protein, human (0) ; IL3 protein, human (0) ; Interleukin-3 (0) ; Leukotrienes (0) ; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins (0) ; lysosomal protein GP53 (0) ; Immunoglobulin E (37341-29-0) ; Calcium (7440-70-2) ; Protein Kinases (EC 2.7.1.37) ; Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases (EC 3.1.4.-) ; Pyrophosphatases (EC 3.6.1.-)

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