International archives of allergy and immunology
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Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Oct 2002
Individual hymenoptera venom compounds induce upregulation of the basophil activation marker ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 3 (CD203c) in sensitized patients.
Bee and wasp venom extracts contain potent allergens capable of inducing severe clinical reactions. To analyze immediate-type hypersensitivity to defined hymenoptera venom components, a recently developed in vitro test was applied that is based on the upregulation of CD203c expression on basophils. ⋯ Flow-cytometric determination of CD203c upregulation on basophils activated by molecularly defined allergens is a powerful method to identify the precise allergen reactivity in sensitized individuals.