Basophil Activation Test (BAT) Allergy in vitro blood assay BÜHLMANN Flow-CAST® 100 tests for allergen and hypersensitivity testing

The Flow CAST® is intended for the determination of basophil activation in patient whole blood samples by flow cytometry. The unique marker combination (CCR3 and CD63) combines the simple gating properties for basophil detection of CCR3 with the solid application of the proven activation marker CD63 in one. Thanks to its easy protocol and smart marker combination the first results can be obtained within one hour - perfect conditions for routine laboratories. More than 150 allergens are available for testing including food and food additives, Inhalants, Drug, insect and hymenoptera venom.

Product Details:
Product Code: FK-CCR
Sample type: EDTA blood. It is recommended that patients should avoid systemically administered antiallergenic drugs such as corticosteroids, chromoglycic acid (DSCG) for at least 24 hours prior to blood sampling. Perform the cell stimulation immediately or store the blood sample refrigerated (2-8°C) for up to 48 hours. For detecting responses to drugs store the blood sample only up to 24 hours. Do not centrifuge or freeze blood samples.
Sample volume: 50µl
Method: Flow cytometry
CE marked: Yes
Interpretation : To obtain an optimal sensitivity and specificity, slightly different cut-off values should be applied for different groups of allergens. Based on numerous studies and evaluations done with different basophil activation tests Bühlmann recommends using the following cut-off:
Inhalant allergens: >15 %
Food allergens: >15 %
Hymenoptera venoms: >10 %
Betalactams*: >5 % SI >2
Analgesics*: >5 % SI >2
Food additives* >5 % SI >2
* Drugs and other chemical allergens usually results in lower activation percentages than other allergens. Therefore, a lower cut-off should be taken, but the stimulation index (SI = allergen stimulation divided by negative control) must be equal or higher than 2 in order to consider the result as positive.