Use of CD63 expression as a marker of in vitro basophil activation and leukotriene determination in metamizol allergic patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

We assessed the reliability of basophil activation test (FAST) and sulphidoleukotriene production (CAST) in the in vitro diagnosis of allergy to metamizol, evaluating its sensitivity and specificity.

METHODS:

Twenty-six patients allergic to metamizol and 30 control individuals were studied. Skin tests with metamizol, FAST, and CAST were performed.

RESULTS:

FAST sensitivity was 42.3% and specificity 100%. The PPV of FAST is 100% and the NPV 99.4%. The likelihood ratio for a positive value cannot be calculated because the specificity is 100% and the likelihood ratio for a negative value is 0.58. CAST sensitivity was 52%, and specificity 90%. The PPV of the test is 5% and the NPV 99.5%. The likelihood ratio for a positive result was 5.2 and that for a negative result 0.53. FAST detects a larger number of cases when patients are studied within the first 6 months after the clinical reaction (chi = 4.2, P = 0.04) than later. Together with skin tests, FAST allowed detection of 69.2% patients allergic to metamizol, the same as CAST 76%. The joint use of the three techniques allowed identification of 76.9% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS:

FAST and CAST are useful for the diagnosis of allergy to pyrazolones. Its usefulness clearly increases when recent reactions are studied.

• Authors: P M Gamboa, M L Sanz, M R Caballero, I Antépara, I Urrutia, I Jáuregui, G González, I Diéguez, A L De Weck
• Journal: Allergy (Allergy) Vol. 58 Issue 4 Pg. 312-7 (Apr 2003) ISSN: 0105-4538 [Print] Denmark
• PMID: 12708979 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Antigens, CD
• Leukotrienes
• Dipyrone

Topics

• Adult
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (adverse effects, immunology)
• Antigens, CD (blood)
• Basophils (drug effects)
• Case-Control Studies
• Dipyrone (adverse effects, immunology)
• Drug Hypersensitivity (diagnosis)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunologic Tests (methods)
• In Vitro Techniques
• Leukotrienes (blood)
• Likelihood Functions
• Male
• Reproducibility of Results
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Skin Tests
• Urticaria (chemically induced)