Utility of the Peripheral Blood Basophil Histamine Release Test in the Diagnosis of Food Allergy in Children

Abstract

The Basophil Histamine Release Test (HRT) was developed 20 years ago. Following technological advances, Allerport HRT kit (Shionogi & Co. Ltd. Osaka, Japan), an automated HRT, was subsequently released. Despite an increased number of detectable antigens and simplicity of use, Allerport HRT kit has not been widely utilized in clinical settings. Possible reasons for this include the existence of low-responders, observed in approximately 20 % of cases, and the difficulty in interpreting test results representing a histamine-release curve. Effects of antihistamine medication and the amount of time required for assessment are believed to partially account for the low-response rate. A reduction in the low-response rate may further increase the sensitivity of HRT. Furthermore, some reports suggest that HRT can be utilized in assessing the timing of oral food challenge (OFC) tests through a chronological review of the histamine release curves, determining challenge doses for the OFC by looking at antigen release rates, and in assessment of severe cases where trace amounts of antigens trigger high histamine release.