[Demonstration of sulfite-group-specific IgE in patients with intolerance to preservatives]

On the basis of the selection of a population of patients intolerant to sulfites by the clinical history, a simple blind oral provocation test and a basophil activation test, we explored the basophil activation reaction induced by sulfites after passive sensitisation of blood donors basophils. We demonstrated that the percentages of activation obtained with a non covalent reagent (MBS-HSA), a covalent reagent (sulfonyl-HSA) and the optimal concentration of an anti-IgE were not significantly different. Human basophil activation was negativated by heating the transferred sera and by competition with a monoclonal human IgE. We also observed mediator release (histamine and LTC4) with a low frequency, histamine release being strictly related to the carrier protein concentration. In two cases, sulfite specific IgE were detected by ELISA. These results are in favour of the specificity and the IgE dependent nature of basophil activation induced by sulfites.