Comparision of two-flow cytometry methods for basophil degranulation in patients sensitized to grass pollen.
BACKGROUND
Two-flow cytometry methods for quantification of degranulated basophil after allergen-specific activation were discussed. The methods are discerned by used membrane receptors--FcepsilonRI or IL-3Ralpha Our goal was to evaluate the diagnostic potential of the methods and to correlate them to allergen-specific IgE detection and skin prick test (SPT).


METHODS
Patient's and control's groups were studied with Bulgarian grass pollen allergen B1 simultaneously by flow cytometry kits: Basotest and BD FastImmune test. Allergy diagnosis was based on clinical history and SPT. The determination of specific IgE was performed by ELISA--RIDASCREEN.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between the patient's results from Basotest and FastImmune (P>0.05). A significant correlation between values, analyzed by Basotest and by FastImmune was found (r=0.88). The sensitivity and specificity of the Basotest, FastImmune, specific IgE and SPT were 85%, 72%, 92% and 92% sensitivity and 100%, 92%, 100% and 85% specificity respectively. The efficiency was between 82% and 97%. There were a significant correlation between the specific IgE and flow cytometry tests: tau=0.92 (Basotest) and tau=0.71 (FastImmune) and a moderate significant correlation between the SPT and the in vitro tests: tau=0.26 (Basotest) and tau=0.31 (FastImmune).


CONCLUSIONS
The successful use of the Bulgarian grass pollen allergen B1 and both flow cytometry tests was presented. These methods could be as specific tools for IgE-mediated diagnosis especially FastImmune in the case of low IgE receptor expression.
Michova
A
A
Central Laboratory of Immunology, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Abugalia
M
M
Ivanova
Ts
Ts
Nikolov
G
G
Taskov
H
H
Petrunov
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015549:Basophil Degranulation Test / Q000379:methods; D001491:Basophils / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015550:Cell Degranulation / Q000276:immunology*; D002469:Cell Separation; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006109:Poaceae / Q000276:immunology*; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*