Characterization of specific IgE response in vitro against protein and drug allergens using atopic and normal donors

Abstract

An allergen specific immune response is readily generated in vitro. The differential response against benzylpenicillin between different donor categories most probably reflects the level of pre-exposure to this allergen in vivo.

Long‐term immunologically competent human peripheral lymphoid tissue cultures in a 3D bioreactor

“…The observation of active responses to a diverse array of both recall and neo-antigens in our system is extremely encouraging, since in vitro antigen-specific immune responses from primary human cells are extremely hard to generate, and usually rely on presence of primed precursors or other enriched starting populations (Akesson et al 2000; Akesson et al 2002; Chin et al 2007; Chin et al 1994; Garraud et al 1997; Ma et al 2010; Zafiropoulos et al 1997). The frequency of individuals displaying in vitro immune response ranges from 20 to 50%, depending on the antigen, suggesting that additional factors should be considered to further improve the immunization methods.…”

Importance of repeat testing in the diagnosis of penicillin allergy

“…Although penicillin allergy has been vastly overdiagnosed, and too many people are incorrectly labelled as allergic to penicillin, 8 misdiagnosis is also a risk to consider, as a considerable percentage of patients was able to lose sensitivity or was negative in the first evaluation. Repeat testing, which could be considered as a booster, 7 and the determination of specific IgE levels, 9 will help to obtain an accurate diagnosis of beta‐lactam allergy, although the majority of the penicillin‐allergic donors failed to produce penicillin‐specific IgE in vitro , when their lymphocytes were cultured in the presence of allergen 10 …”