Circulating basophils in normal subjects and in subjects with hay fever

The relationship of hay fever symptoms and changes in the number of circulating basophils was studied in 12 subjects clinically sensitive only to ragweed and in 10 nonatopic subjects before, during, and after the ragweed season. Total white blood counts, absolute basophil counts, and symptom scores were recorded twice weekly from mid-June through October, 1974, and compared with the ragweed pollen count. The results indicated that the absolute and relative number of basophils were significantly elevated (p less than 0.001) in the hay fever group when symptoms occurred. As the symptom score of the allergic group increased during the ragweed season, the number of basophils also increased, only to decrease to control values when symptoms subsided. The basophil counts of the atopic group were significantly higher than those of the nonatopic group during the control periods. The nonatopic group also showed a significant elevation of basophils during the ragweed season, but to a much lesser extent than the atopic group. It is concluded that: (1) subjects with symptomatic hay fever have a significantly elevated absolute and relative basophil count which correlates with the exacerbation and remission of symptoms; (2) nonatopic subjects also have a small but significant elevation of basophils during the ragweed season; and (3) the elevation of basophils in the atopic group during symptoms is significantly greater than in the nonatopic group during the ragweed season.