Clinical evaluation of the human basophil degranulation test in grass pollen allergic patients.

The reliability of the human basophil degranulation test (HBDT) is still in doubt. We took 20 orchard grass-sensitive patients and 20 non-sensitive subjects and compared the sensitivity of HBDT with skin test and RAST. Eighteen HBDTs were positive in skin test-positive patients. There was also a good correlation with the results of RAST.

[Value of basophil studies in the diagnosis of drug allergies]. / Intérêt de l'exploration des basophiles humains dans le diagnostic de l'allergie médicamenteuse.

Mastocytes and basophils are the two cell populations involved in the reactions seen during drug allergies. The testing of basophils is the only and simplest way of studying sensitization in the IgE system by a drug antigen, especially when the skin tests cannot be carried out. This study is carried out in two steps: straight after the drug-induced accident, where a basophil count will give an idea of its allergic origin; and some time after the accident, where the human basophil degranulation test (H.B.D.T.) helps to identify in over 50 p. 100 of cases the responsible drug. The basophil count and H.B.D.T. techniques are then described. The authors present their own results. In a study by H.B.D.T. of 908 patients with a drug allergy, 53.2 p. 100 had positive test; 57.6 p. 100 of 33 cases who presented an anaesthetic accident had a positive H.B.D.T.