[Neutrophil chemiluminescence in allergy diagnosis]

A model system is developed for evaluating the sensitization of an organism in vitro from changes in the neutrophil oxygen metabolism. Spontaneous chemiluminescence and that activated by opsonized antigen are recorded. The specificity of the reaction is determined by the degree of neutrophil activation during reaction with opsonized antigen in different concentrations. In sensitized subjects, the neutrophil oxygen metabolism increases as the concentration of the tested antigen decreases. The degree of sensitization can be expressed quantitatively. In subjects without sensitization, the neutrophil oxygen metabolism is attenuated as the concentration of the tested antigen decreases.