[Changes of histamine release rate from basophils measured by HRT Shionogi kit in immunotherapy for cedar pollinosis]

We studied changes in histamine release from basophil measured by HRT Shionogi kit as laboratory procedure to evaluate immunotherapy of allergic rhinitis. Nine cedar pollinosis patients (ages 12-64 yrs, 3 male and 6 female) that started immunotherapy with standardized cedar pollen extract (Torii Co) in 2001 were evaluated. Histamine release rate was measured before immunotherapy and at 6 months after starting immunotherapy. As a result, the histamine release rate after immunotherapy was suppressed in all cases. The average of histamine release rate was significantly decreased by the stimulation at 3, 30 and 300 ng/ml with cedar pollen antigen (p<0.05). These data suggested that the measurement of histamine release rate was usable for evaluating the efficacy of immunotherapy, and it has a possibility for monitoring in immunotherapy. In addition, a new different mechanism that T lymphocyte or serum does not concern can be considerable, because the procedure by HRT Shionogi kit is measured from basophils at the condition without serum.