The history of muscle biopsy dates back to 1860, when Duchenne first performed a biopsy on a patient with symptoms of myopathy (1) . Since then, the basic and clinical science of muscle and muscle disease has gone through three stages of development: the classical period, the modern stage and the molecular era.

BackgroundRecently, a laboratory technique called basophil activation test (BAT) using flow cytometry (FC) got demonstrated through the expression of CD63 molecules that basophils of atopics donors can be activated when stimulated by serum of patients with CU (supposedly autoimmune). This paper aims to analyze the autologous serum skin test (ASST) in relation to the BAT as well as evaluating the IL3 receptor (CD123) and nonspecific autoantibodies IgG bound to basophils of patients with chronic urticaria.MethodsWe studied 33 adults (24 women) with CU with a mean age of 42.5 + 14 years, of which 22 with ASST positive and 11 with ASST negative. It was done through the analysis by FC of CD63 molecules expression on basophils from an atopic donor after stimulation by serum of these patients. We used as control the serum from 4 volunteers (without urticaria). Also we researched the CD123 molecule expression and IgG nonspecific autoantibodies in basophils from patients with CU.ResultsWe found 21 (63.6%) patients with positive BAT, of these 14 (66.6%) were ASST positive and 7 (33.3%) were ASST negative. Taking as parameter the BAT, we found an accuracy of 54.5% for the ASST, a sensitivity of 66%, specificity 33%, positive predictive value of 63% and negative predictive value of 36%. Comparing the expression intensity (mean with SD) of IgG autoantibodies in patients' basophils with positive and negative ASST there was not statistical difference (for a P < 0.05); the same was true when comparing the autoantibodies (IgG) between groups with BAT positive and with BAT negative. We also didn't find statistical difference (for a P < 0.05) of receptor expression of IL3 (CD123) between the groups.ConclusionsTaking as parameter the BAT for diagnosis of autoimmune CU this study found that ASST is accurate about 55%. There was no statistical difference when comparing the expression of IgG nonspecific autoantibodies and CD123 molecule, between groups.

BackgroundThe prevalence of hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is high and its in vitro diagnostic is a challenge. The basophil activation test with determination by flow cytometry (FC), of the expression rate of CD63 molecules has been much studied today. NSAIDs several have been evaluated by this technique, which still didn't happen with indomethacin; however, that we may study it is necessary to assess their effects, concentration dependants, on cell viability. We studied the viability of indomethacin dissolved in propylene glycol, analyzing the nonspecific stimulation and cytotoxicity, using in this case the basophil activation test with the use of FC.MethodsFirst it was studied the safe concentration of propylene glycol for dilution of indomethacin, incubating basophils from atopic donor with this diluent. In the second phase, the indomethacin was diluted in the following concentrations: 10 mcg/mL, 1 mcg/mL, 0.1 mcg/mL and the CD63 intensity molecules expression was analysed by FC.ResultsRegarding the toxicity of propylene glycol, concentrations less than or equal to 0.5% are safe. For indomethacin, the used concentrations (10 mcg/mL, 1 mcg/mL e 0.1 mcg/mL) were viable showing absence of cytotoxicity or nonspecific stimulation.ConclusionsPropylene glycol as a diluent of indomethacin is necessary to make at concentrations less than or equal to 0.5%. The indomethacin at concentrations of 10 mcg/mL, 1 mcg/mL and 0.1 mcg/mL proved to be not cytotoxic and without nonspecific stimulant action to basophils.