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Basophil Activation Test for Allergy Diagnosis

Basophil Activation Test for Allergy Diagnosis

Published on: May 31, 2021

Elevated serum B-cell activating factor in patients with chronic urticaria.

Aharon Kessel¹, Karin Yaacoby-Bianu, Zahava Vadasz

¹Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Technion Faculty of Medicine, Haifa 31048, Israel. aharon.kessel@b-zion.org.il

Human Immunology

|April 17, 2012

Summary

Chronic urticaria (CU) patients show elevated serum B-cell activation factor (BAFF) levels, which correlate with increased disease severity. This finding supports the autoimmune basis of chronic urticaria.

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Area of Science:

Immunology
Dermatology
Autoimmune Diseases

Background:

Abnormalities in B and T cells suggest chronic urticaria (CU) may have an autoimmune basis.
B-cell activation factor (BAFF) plays a crucial role in B-cell maturation and survival, and its dysregulation is implicated in autoimmune conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare serum BAFF levels in chronic urticaria (CU) patients versus healthy controls.
To investigate the association between elevated serum BAFF and clinical parameters in CU, including autologous serum skin test, anti-thyroid antibodies, antinuclear antibodies, total IgE levels, and disease severity.

Main Methods:

Serum BAFF levels were measured in 46 CU patients and 24 healthy controls using a validated assay.
Statistical analyses were performed to compare BAFF levels between groups and to assess correlations with clinical parameters and disease severity.

Main Results:

Serum BAFF levels were significantly elevated in CU patients compared to healthy controls (1228±342 pg/ml vs. 758±313 pg/ml, P<0.0001).
CU patients with severe disease activity exhibited significantly higher serum BAFF levels than those with mild CU (1394.6±299.6 pg/ml vs. 1097.6±221.3 pg/ml, P=0.0008).
No significant association was found between serum BAFF levels and the presence of positive autologous serum skin test, anti-thyroid antibodies, antinuclear antibodies, or high total IgE levels.

Conclusions:

Chronic urticaria (CU) patients demonstrate significantly higher serum BAFF levels compared to healthy individuals.
Elevated serum BAFF levels in CU are associated with increased disease severity, further supporting an autoimmune pathogenesis.
BAFF may represent a potential therapeutic target for managing severe chronic urticaria.