BASOPHIL ACTIVATION TEST (BAT) IN »IN VITRO« DIAGNOSIS OFHYMENOPTERA VENOM HYPERSENSITIVITY

Abstract

BACKGROUND The basophil activation test relies on flow cytometric quantitation of the expression of themarkers on the surface of basophils, after stimulation with the amount of allergen thatcross-link IgE antibodies bound on their surface. In allergy diagnosis, the technique hasbeen applied in the investigation of IgE-mediated allergy caused by classical inhalant allergens,Hevea latex, food, drugs and hymenoptera venoms. The technique also proves valuablein the diagnosis of non-IgE-mediated reactions such as drug hypersensitivity and thedetection of autoantibodies in certain forms of chronic urticaria. To strengthen the probabilitythat the working diagnosis for hymenoptera venom hypersensitivity is correct, confirmatorytesting for skin test and IgE antibody is often performed. But sometimes clinical history and the results of confirmatory tests are contradictory. In such cases additionaltests are necessary, among which flow cytometric quantification of in vitro basophil activationis becoming a valuable tool during the last few years.Material and In Laboratory for Clinical Immunology and Molecular Genetic, Golnik, we performed BATmethods for 127 patients with history of anaphylactic reactions after Hymenoptera sting. CONCLUSIONS According to our findings BAT is a highly sensitive and specific technique and as an invitro provocation assay enables sensibilisation detection, prediction of side effects fromspecific immunotherapy and differentiates between clinically relevant and irrelevant epitops.This technique also gave us a new information on mechanisms and effects of venomimmunotherapy