Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 22, 2025
Basophil Activation Test for Allergy Diagnosis
Published on: May 31, 2021
Utility of basophil activation test for predicting the outcome of wheezing in children: a pilot study
Jingyang Li1, Jinhong Wu2, Haipei Liu1
1Department of Pediatrics, Xinhua hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200090, China.
Insights
The basophil activation test (BAT) shows promise in diagnosing asthma in young children with recurrent wheezing. This CD63-based test can help predict asthma outcomes, offering a potential new diagnostic tool.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Diagnostic Biomarkers
Background:
- No reliable biological marker currently exists for diagnosing asthma in young children.
- Recurrent wheezing episodes are common in children, with varying asthma outcomes.
- Distinguishing between transient wheezing and persistent asthma is clinically challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diagnostic potential of the basophil activation test (BAT) in predicting asthma outcomes in children under five with wheezing.
- To analyze the correlation between CD63-based BAT results and the development of asthma.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study involving children under 5 with wheezing.
- CD63-based BAT performed using an inhalant allergen mixture.
- Two-year follow-up to evaluate asthma outcomes via questionnaires and clinical assessment.
- Statistical analysis of BAT results against asthma diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Children diagnosed with asthma showed significantly higher CD63 expression on basophils post-stimulation compared to non-asthma controls (p < 0.05).
- The rate of positive CD63-based BAT results was significantly higher in children with asthma (p < 0.01).
- The CD63-based BAT demonstrated a positive predictive value of 71.8% and a negative predictive value of 69.2% for asthma prediction.
Conclusions:
- The CD63-based basophil activation test (BAT) shows potential clinical utility in predicting asthma outcomes in young children experiencing wheezing episodes.
- This pilot study suggests BAT could serve as a valuable diagnostic aid in pediatric respiratory clinics.
- Further research is warranted to validate these findings in larger cohorts.
Background:
No reliable biological marker for the diagnosis of asthma in younger children is currently available. In this study, we analyzed the differences in basophil activation test (BAT) results among children with recurrent wheezing episodes who had different asthma outcomes.
Results:
A prospective cohort study was conducted in children aged under 5 years who visited our pediatric respiratory clinic and ward for wheezing. After enrollment, the participants provided samples for a CD63-based BAT performed using an inhalant allergen mixture as a stimulant. Histories of personal allergic diseases and family allergic diseases were evaluated by using a questionnaire. All participants were followed up for 2 years, and their asthma outcomes were evaluated at the end of the follow-up period. The correlation between the BAT results and asthma outcomes was analyzed. Of the 45 originally enrolled children, 38 completed both the follow-up and a BAT. After stimulation with the inhalant mixture, the CD63 expression on basophils and the rate of positive CD63-based BAT results in children diagnosed with asthma were both significantly higher than those in children who were not diagnosed with asthma (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). For the prediction of asthma, the positive predictive value and negative predictive value of CD63-based BAT was 71.8 and 69.2%, respectively. The positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio of CD63-based BAT were 1.70 and 0.3, respectively.
Conclusions:
Our pilot study indicates that CD63-based BAT has potential clinical value for predicting asthma outcome in young children with wheezing episodes.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
02:06Allergic Reactions