Related Experiment Videos
Non-responder basophils in highly ragweed-sensitive subjects
International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology
|January 1, 1977
Summary
Seasonal allergic rhinitis patients with high skin sensitivity and RAST scores showed minimal histamine release when exposed to ragweed allergen. This suggests a disconnect between common allergy tests and in-vitro histamine responses in some individuals.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Seasonal allergic rhinitis is a common condition often diagnosed through skin tests and specific IgE antibody measurements.
- Histamine release from leukocytes is a key indicator of allergic reactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between skin sensitivity, RAST scores, and in-vitro histamine release in patients with untreated seasonal ragweed rhinitis.
Main Methods:
- Patients with seasonal ragweed rhinitis underwent skin prick testing and RAST (Radioallergosorbent Test) for ragweed allergen.
- Leukocytes from these patients were challenged with ragweed allergen in vitro to measure histamine release.
Main Results:
- 12 out of 93 patients exhibited strong skin sensitivity and high RAST scores (2+ to 4+).
- These patients showed insignificant histamine release (≤14%) from their leukocytes upon ragweed allergen challenge.
Conclusions:
- A subset of patients with untreated seasonal ragweed rhinitis, despite strong skin sensitivity and high RAST scores, demonstrates limited in-vitro histamine release.
- This finding may indicate a complex immune response in allergic rhinitis that is not fully captured by conventional diagnostic markers.