[Human basophil degranulation in pollinosis: correlation with skin-test diameter (author's transl)]

A human basophil degranulation (HBD) performed on an enriched basophil suspension (by gradient density) was applied in 95 subjects with 3 dilutions of grass pollen extract. Concordance with intradermal skin-test (ST) results reached 90% for wheal and 94% for flare. In 45 positive ST subjects, mean (+/- s.e.m.) of degranulation index was 54,1 +/- 4,2, 54,9 +/- 4,7 and 35,7 +/- 4,9 respectively for dilutions of 10(-4), 10(-6) and 10(-8) of grass pollen. Mean was 6,1 +/- 1,6, 8,2 +/- 1,7 and 8,5 +/- 1,6 in 50 negative ST subjects. In positive ST patients, a significant correlation (r = 0,53 p less than 0,001) appeared between ST diameter (flare) and degranulation index. HBD appears as reliable as RAST or automated histamine analysis but more easy to perform. It permits pharmacological studies of drugs inhibiting human basophil degranulation.