Background: A reproducible standard for a graded allergen response in allergic rhinitis is lacking. The aim was to evaluate basophil allergen threshold sensitivity, CD-sens, as a diagnostic complement to nasal allergen challenge. Methods: Twenty-six patients with a history of allergic rhinitis due to grass pollen were intranasally challenged and nasal symptom score and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) changes were determined after 15 min. A 20% decrease in PNIF or a symptom score ≥2 were considered a positive test. A blood sample for CD-sens was drawn before each challenge. Eighteen patients were tested twice. Results: CD-sens agreed with the positive or negative nasal symptom score in 22/26 and PNIF in 24/26 patients. After the second challenge, 14/18 patients had the same symptom, 17/18 the same PNIF, while all had identical CD-sens classification. Conclusion: CD-sens appears to be a reproducible test for diagnosis of allergic rhinitis with great advantages also for follow-up of disease development and treatment effects.

Keywords:
Allergic rhinitis, Basophils, Flow cytometry, Nasal allergen challenge, Peak nasal inspiratory flow
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© 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel
2012
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