Aim of the study
Evaluation of the diagnostic value of the basophil activation test (BAT) by flow cytometry in allergy to neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA).
Patients and methods
One hundred and twenty-one patients older than 18 having experienced a grade II to IV peranesthetic shock were included in nine French hospitals. The final conclusion of the allegro-anesthesiologist was based on clinical and biological data and on skin tests, representing the “gold standard” of muscle relaxant agent's allergy diagnosis. The most frequently used NMBAs were suxamethonium, rocuronium and atracurium. Skin tests were performed according to EAACI recommendations and BAT according to Bühmann's laboratory protocol. BAT results were expressed in percentage of basophils expressing CD63 (%CD63) and in an activation index (AI) calculated according to a specific algorithm.
Results
Out of the 100 cases included, the positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values for ST were respectively 100% and 75%. For BAT, out of 64 cases, the PPV and NPV were respectively 100% and 41% (%CD63) and 100% and 51% (AI). The khi2 test calculated between ST and BAT was statistically significant (P < 0.001) for suxamethonium and rocuronium. Using a threshold of 2 kUA/L (threshold corresponding to 100% specificity), the PPV and NPV of morphine specific IgEs were respectively 100% and 27%. Cross-reactions observed by TC and TAB for benzylisoquinolinium and aminosteroid compound groups were not significantly different.
Conclusion
The ST characteristics observed in this study are consistent with literature data with a lower NPV but a high PPV for BAT authorizing its use for diagnosis and selection of a negative NMBA with a view to subsequent intervention concerning a patient allergic to an NMBA. Its sensitivity is, however, lower than for TC but may be improved by the simultaneous use of an early activation marker as the membrane IgE.