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Standardization of allergenic extracts by basophil histamine release
T R Kordash1, L L Freshwater, M J Amend
1Miles Inc., Allergy Products, Spokane, WA 99207, USA.
Background:
Allergenic extracts are standardized by using the ID50EAL (Intradermal Dilution for 50 mm sum of Erythema Determines the Allergy Unit) skin test technique to assign allergy units to reference preparations. When new batches of extracts are manufactured, they are compared with the reference by RAST inhibition or other in vitro techniques. This study was designed to determine whether basophil histamine release might be an additional useful in vitro test for the standardization of allergenic extracts.
Methods:
Basophil histamine release, skin tests, and RAST were compared using several different allergenic extracts at many different strengths. Allergy units were calculated using skin test results and basophil histamine release.
Results:
Basophil histamine release, skin tests, and RAST correlated well (P < .01). Basophil histamine release-derived allergy units and skin test-derived allergy units were highly correlated (P < .01).
Conclusion:
Basophil histamine release appears to be a useful tool for the standardization of allergenic extracts.