Basophil activation test – BAT TEST

What is the Basophil Activation Test?

The Basophil Activation Test is an ex vivo diagnostic tool for the detection of basophils in whole blood following allergen stimulation using flow cytometry. Its use is suitable for the in vivo detection of direct type allergic reactions and hypersensitivy to potential allergens.

Simply put, the BAT test can dentifiy the allergen in which the patient is sensitised to and may react to. The BAT test detects both reactivity and sensitivity to a specific allergen in the patient’s cells.

BAT test – Basophil Activation and Allergy Test to Covid-19 vaccines

The BAT test is a suitable diagnostic tool to find out if you have an allergy to coronavirus vaccines (Covid-19) Pfizer-Moderna, Astra Zeneca-Johnson

See more here

BAT test – Basophil Activation and Drug Allergy Tests

The BAT test is the ONLY available “in vitro” test for confirming a hypersensitivity reaction to drugs such as pyrazolones, contrast agents, clavulanate, etc.

In addition, basophil activation testing can aid in the diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergic reactions to food allergens, pollen, and insect venoms, particularly in doubtful cases or before reintroduction of food to avoid a clinical challenge.

BAT test – Basophil activation and Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU)

• It is a new tool in the diagnosis of autoimmune chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU).
• In combination with the autologous serum test (ASST) can be used to detect autoantibodies against the high-affinity immunoglobulin E receptor (FcεRΙα)
• BAT is a functional, sensitive diagnostic tool for CSU, which does not carry the risk of accidental infection from injectable autologous serum, can be performed in all patients regardless of age and without pausing antihistamine use.

In which cases is a BAT test recommended?

• If no allergen is available for skin prick tests (STs) or sIgE determination
• In case of discrepancy between Clinical History and Skin Test (ST) and/or sIgE
• At increased risk for a systemic reaction when performing an ID & before the diagnostic challenge
• In the monitoring and management of patients undergoing immunomodulation procedures

How is the BAT Test done for the patient?

The test is done via a simple blood draw from the patient and is completely harmless.

The basophil activation test cannot be done if the patient has had an infection in the last month.

If the subject is taking cortisone, he/she should stop taking it for at least 24 hours before sampling

How does the BAT Test work? Methodology

Basophil Activation Test

1. The patient’s basophils are stimulated with the allergen polyethylene glycol PEG 2000.
2. Stimulated basophils versus unstimulated basophils are separated by flow cytometry.
3. If the stimulated basophils exceed 5% of the total basophils or the stimulation is >2 times the basal basophils (stimulation index SI>2 ) then the patient has a serious chance of reacting during vaccine application.

Specifically, the categories of drugs which can be examined for causing immediate allergic reactions are:

See a detailed list of substances for which BAT tests can be used to determine direct allergic reactions here.

*in case you want to test a substance which is not listed above, you can contact us via phone or e-mail, and we’ll let you know if our lab can carry it out.