Histamine-binding lymphocytes as a measure of reactivity to bee venom

Reduced lymphocyte histamine-binding after in vitro exposure of whole blood samples to bee venom appears related to allergen reactivity. The reactivity demonstrated using this method matched the clinical findings and was used to monitor declining responses to allergen during desensitization therapy for hypersensitivity to bee venom. After successful desensitization to bee venom, patients' lymphocytes did not show decreased histamine binding following in vitro exposure to venom. We conclude that lymphocyte histamine-binding sites are down-regulated by allergen-mediated histamine release in hypersensitive subjects, and that this response diminishes with immunotherapy. This report describes a novel method for the in vitro assessment of reactivity to bee venom.