Clinical evaluation of histamine release test: a novel method for identifying allergens from the whole blood of allergic patients
Mamiya, S.; Ito, H.; Suzuki, M.; Takagi, I.; Baba, S.; Nishimura, J.
Acta Oto-Laryngologica. Supplementum 525: 93-97
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0365-5237 PMID: 8908279 Document Number: 468615
The histamine release test using the glass-fibre method (HiRT), was used to test reactions of samples of peripheral whole blood to 10 allergens (Japanese cedar [Cryptomeria japonica], orchard grass [Dactylis glomerata], ragweed [Ambrosia artemisiifolia], mugwort [Artemisia sp.] cat and dog skin, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, house dust, Candida albicans and Alternaria tenuis [A. alternata]) in 53 patients with allergic rhinitis. These patients were 21 men and 32 women, aged between 9 and 65 years, who had been attending the out-patients clinic of Nagoya Daini Red Cross Hospital, Nagoya, Japan, between December 1992 and April 1993. The results of HiRT tests were compared against skin prick and nasal provocation tests, and CAP-RAST. HiRT showed a high correlation and concordance with the CAP-RAST system. HiRT also had a significant correlation with the nasal provocation test. HiRT is considered by the authors to be suitable for the screening of allergens because of its high specificity, positive predictive value, its safety and ease of use.