[The human basophil degranulation test. Attempt at determining its reliability]

A single-blind assay was made between a laboratory in Paris and our own, in order to assess objectively the Human Basophil Degranulation test (TDBH). The study was made on 28 subjects. They presented with anaphylactic or systemic reactions to hymenoptera venom. The samples from these patients were sent to Paris without any other diagnostic information. Agreement of results between ANGERS and PARIS was very poor, at around 38.5%. Agreement between the TDBH at ANGERS and PARIS with other biological parameters and skin tests was also weak, at 41.7 to 55% in ANGERS and 45.8 to 58.3% in PARIS. The techniques used at ANGERS and PARIS were the same. Overall, TDBH does not seem to be either reliable or reproducible between two laboratories, in the special case of hypersensitivity to hymenoptera venoms.