We examined histamine release test by using whole peripheral blood taken from children with food allergy. Whole blood samples were challenged with antigen obtained from RAST standards, and histamine in the supernatants was measured by anti-histamine antibodies with RIA. The methods were simple and useful for a diagnosis of allergen as has been reported (Mita et al., Arerugii 40(12): 1477, 1991.) In the present study, we examined 42 blood samples from children with food allergy by challenging 349 allergens, and compared either one of histamine release, skin test, or IgE RAST with food elimination-provocation test. Histamine release test was more closely related to food provocation test than IgE RAST and skin test when samples were taken from children over 3 years of age. A substantial number of cases seemed to be required for obtaining significant results.
