Latent anaphylactic sensitivity of infants to cow's milk proteins. Histamine release from blood basophils.

Approximately 25% of infants tested released greater than 9% of their blood basophil histamine content in the presence of cow's milk proteins, indicating a degree or level of latent anaphylactic sensitivity to these allergens. Approximately 10% of infants show a considerably higher level of sensitivity (14-63% histamine release). These findings fulfil an essential tenet of the modified anaphylactic hypothesis for cot-death.