Test for detection of histamine releasing autoantibodies in chronic
idiopathic urticaria (CIU).
Recent evidence has suggested a subgroup of chronic urticarias relating to circulating histamine releasing auto antibodies.
As many as 30-60% of CIU patients may have circulating auto antibodies predominantly IgG1 and IgG3, specific for the
a subunit of the high-affinity IgE receptor
(FceRI a).
A proportion of CIU diagnoses may have an underlying autoimmune pathogenesis.
Identifying this subgroup of patients has practical implications for their treatment.
Ref: Carsten Bindslev-Jensen, Aldo Finzi, Malcolm Greaves, Jose Camarasa, Jean-Paul Ortonne. Chronic urticaria: diagnostic recommendations. JEADV (2000)14,175-180.
Other relevant references concerning urticaria:
M.H.Platzer, C.E.H.Grattan, L.K.Poulsen, P.S.Skov. Validation of basophil histamine release against the autologous serum skin test and outcome of serum-induced basophil histamine release studies in a large population of chronic urticaria patients. Allergy 2005: 60: 1152-1156.
High prevalence of autoimmune urticaria in children with chronic urticaria. Luigia Brunetti, Ruggiero Francavilla, Vito L. Miniello, Michael H. Platzer, Domenica Rizzi, Maria Letizia Lospalluti, Lars K. Poulsen, Lucio Armenio, Per Stahl Skov. J. Allergy Clin Immunol; October 2004: 922-927.
Furhter references concerning autoimmune urticaria can be found in our refernce list.
HR-Urticaria Test:
A simplified test for detecting histamine releasing activity has been developed as a commercial assay (HR-Urticaria Test, RefLab, Denmark).
Practical information:
RefLab needs a sample of 1-2 mL of serum per patient to perform the test for autoantibodies. Serum is sent by ordinary mail at ambient temperature. In our laboratory serum and donor basophils are incubated and the % histamine release is detected. A histamine release > 16,5 % is a positive test result.
Please fill in the requisition form and send it to RefLab.
Address:
RefLab ApS
P.O. box 590
DK-2200 Copenhagen N
The test result will be returned to you within 10 days after receipt to the laboratory.