Basophil sensitization for food allergens in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

To estimate food sensitization, the human basophil degranulation test (HBDT), usually used for allergy diagnosis, was performed in 34 idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) patients, classified as minimal change glomerular disease, with or without atopic manifestations, and in 19 blood donors; five food allergens (wheat flour, cow's milk, whole egg, beef and pork) were investigated. The HBDT was positive in 22 out of the 34 INS (64%) and in 1 out of the 19 blood donors (p less than 0.001). The test was 9 times positive for wheat flour, 9 times for pork, 6 times for cow's milk, 6 times for beef and 5 times for whole egg. Moreover in 13 cases, the basophil sensitization was present for two or three of these food allergens in the same patient. A direct causal relationship between food sensitization and INS cannot be drawn from this study: it might be demonstrated only by elemental or oligoantigenic diet prior to specific avoidances.