Basophil-activation tests in Hymenoptera allergy.
OBJECTIVE
Despite recent advances in our understanding of basophil biology and discovery of new markers for basophil activation, tests measuring basophil activation are not widely utilized in Hymenoptera allergy. Studies of the basophil-activation test in Hymenoptera allergy were examined and the clinical utility of this test was assessed.


RESULTS
It has been demonstrated that the results of basophil-activation tests correlate quite well with those of serum IgE testing or skin-prick tests. Many studies compare test outcomes with history in patients and nonallergic controls, so that specificity in sensitized but clinically nonreactive individuals remains unknown. Although one study showed that the basophil-activation test might predict immunotherapy side effects, this could not be confirmed in a second study, and no role has been established for the basophil-activation test in the monitoring of venom immunotherapy. The basophil-activation test has no extra value in assessing sting challenges, although experience is limited.


CONCLUSIONS
The measurement of basophil-activation markers may be useful in detecting IgE-mediated sensitization but the relevance for application of the basophil-activation test in prediction of clinical reactivity in Hymenoptera allergy is very limited. For this reason, this test currently has no established role in the diagnosis and management of patients with insect sting allergy.
Dubois
Anthony E J
AE
Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Allergology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. a.e.j.dubois@bkk.umcg.nl
van der Heide
Sicco
S
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D001180:Arthropod Venoms / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D001491:Basophils / Q000276:immunology; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006927:Hymenoptera / Q000276:immunology*; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000378:metabolism; D007159:Immunologic Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011755:Pyrophosphatases / Q000378:metabolism; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000378:metabolism; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D060149:Tetraspanin 30
D015703:Antigens, CD; D001180:Arthropod Venoms; C554586:CD63 protein, human; C427944:ENPP3 protein, human; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D060149:Tetraspanin 30; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; D011755:Pyrophosphatases