Hazel allergen – for use in combination with the BÜHLMANN CAST® assays

BÜHLMANN CAST® Allergens are optimised for in vitro Basophil Activation using BÜHLMANN CAST® assays: CAST® ELISA (EK-CAST) and Flow CAST® (FK-CCR).

CAST® Protein allergens: Venoms, Inhalants, Food, and Environmental allergens)

Before use they are to be reconstituted / diluted with test specific Stimulation Buffer: CAST® ELISA: B-CAST-STB, Flow CAST®: B-CCR-STB. For some allergens additional dilution is recommended with Stimulation Buffer.

For stimulation of cells, use these dilutions according to the respective CAST® IFU.
Storage and Stability: Unopened CAST® Allergens are to be stored Store at ≤ -20°C. Do not use the reagents beyond the expiration date printed on the labels.

Important: Reconstituted or diluted allergens must not be stored and used again! Exception: Reconstituted bee venom (BAG2-I1) and wasp venom allergen (BAG2-I3) are stable for 1 month at ≤-20 °C.

Blood samples must be drawn for CAST® assays before carrying out a skin test or in vivo provocation with the presumed allergen as in vivo exposure to an allergen can cause an activation of the leucocytes.

Limitations: A negative CAST® assay result for a specific allergen does not exclude potential (even serious) clinical symptoms. Individuals who developed „allergic“ reactions towards protein or drug allergens in the past and whose CAST® assay was negative, should thus be verified with additional methods like the in vivo provocation or skin test before a drug is administered or a patient is exposed to the allergen.

Concentrations and cut-off: Concentrations and cut-off of these allergen groups were optimised regarding maximum specificity and sensitivity. Concentrations to be used in the test and cut-off of individual allergens are reported in the specifications of the allergens. For Flow CAST®, BÜHLMANN recommends the application of the stimulation index (SI) as an additional diagnostic criterion. The SI is defined as the ratio of allergen specific basophil activation and background activation.

N.B: In order to apply allergen specific cut-offs, QC criteria published in the CAST® instructions must be fulfilled. Cut-offs should serve only as recommendations. Clinically defined cut-offs should be established by each laboratory or through clinical studies.