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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
07:22
Basophil Activation Test for Allergy Diagnosis
Published on: May 31, 2021
Hypersensitivity reactions to iodinated contrast media
Rosa-Maria Guéant-Rodriguez1, Antonino Romano, Annick Barbaud
1INSERM U-724, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology in Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, B.P. 184 - 54505 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy Cedex, France. rm.rodriguez@chu-nancy.fr
Current Pharmaceutical Design
|October 5, 2006
Summary
Adverse reactions to iodinated contrast media (ICM) can be immediate or delayed. While non-ionic compounds reduced incidence, understanding immunologic mechanisms and diagnostic tests for ICM hypersensitivity is crucial.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Radiology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Adverse reactions to iodinated contrast media (ICM) are classified as immediate or delayed.
- Non-ionic compounds have reduced ICM reaction incidence, but immediate reactions still occur in ~3% of cases.
- Immunologic mechanisms, involving basophils, mast cells, and T-cells, are implicated in ICM reactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of pathogenic mechanisms for ICM hypersensitivity.
- To summarize diagnostic approaches for immediate and non-immediate ICM reactions.
- To identify research gaps in diagnosis and prevention of ICM-induced hypersensitivity.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on ICM adverse reactions, pathogenic mechanisms, and diagnostic testing.
- Discussion of in vivo (skin tests) and in vitro (IgE assays, lymphocyte transformation test) diagnostic methods.
- Analysis of the role of basophils, mast cells, and T-cells in ICM hypersensitivity.
Main Results:
- Immediate ICM reactions involve mediators like histamine and tryptase from basophils/mast cells.
- Non-immediate reactions are often T-cell mediated, presenting as maculopapular rashes.
- Diagnostic tools include skin tests and lymphocyte transformation tests, though their accuracy is not fully established.
Conclusions:
- Allergologic evaluation is indicated for suspected ICM hypersensitivity.
- Further research is needed to establish the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of diagnostic tests.
- Understanding pathogenic mechanisms is key to improving prevention and diagnosis of ICM reactions.
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