Drug Hypersensitivity (original) (raw)

2. Cellular tests for the diagnosis of immediate type drug hypersensitivity reactions 2.1 The Basophil activation test The in vitro diagnosis of drug allergies has advanced much over recent years, mainly due to the incorporation of new technologies, such as flow cytometry, which permits the analysis www.intechopen.com Allergic Diseases-Highlights in the Clinic, Mechanisms and Treatment 262 of various types of cells, even when they are poorly represented in peripheral blood, as is the case with basophils. These cells are a useful model for the study of IgE-mediated reactions, as they are effectors of the reactions (Schleimer et al., 1985). Basophils are able to release the content of their granules (either preformed mediators, like histamine, or formed de novo, like sulphidoleukotrienes) after antigen-specific activation. In addition, after this process they express, or overexpress, activation molecules on their membranes (Fig. 1).