Basophil releasability in human hydatidosis.

We studied immunoglobulin E (IgE)- and non-IgE-mediated releasability in basophils from 31 patients with hydatidosis. Histamine release to non-IgE-dependent stimuli did not differ significantly between normal individuals and patients with hydatidosis. On the contrary, an increased histamine liberation was obtained by challenging basophils from hydatid patients with anti-human IgE. It is concluded that Echinococcus granulosus infection induces an enhanced sensitivity of basophils to IgE-dependent stimuli.