Basophil degranulation test in house dust mite allergy: diagnostic value.

After reviewing the experience of various authors we applied the Basophil Degranulation Test (BDT) in the study of sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, so as to evaluate its diagnostic use. Fifty-five patients with asthma and/or rhinitis and a positive skin test to the mentioned antigen, as well as 20 control subjects were studied. The results demonstrated a sensitivity of 65.5% and a specificity of 80% with an efficiency index of 69.5%. We did not find any significant correlation with the histamine release test (r = 0.236). The data obtained and the proper limitations of the technique led us to consider the BDT to have a limited application in routine allergy diagnosis.