[Measurement of proliferation of allergen-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes by flow cytometry].

The percentage of S-phase cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 14 atopic and 6 non-atopic subjects was measured by flow cytometry after stimulation with mite allergen (Der f) for 6 days and converted to the stimulation index (S.I.F.: stimulation index measured by flow cytometry). S.I. F. showed a close positive correlation with the serum IgE level (r = 0.67, p = 0.001). S.I.F. in the atopic subjects was significantly higher than in the non-atopic subjects (165.6 +/- 49.8 vs 113.2 +/- 12.2, p < 0.05). S.I.F. in subjects with a high (> or = 100 PRU/ml) IgE-RAST level for mite allergen Der p was significantly higher than that in subjects with a negative RAST level (178.4 +/- 53.8 vs 113.2 +/- 12.2, p < 0.02). Flow-cytometric measurement of the proliferation of PBMC in response to allergenic stimulation may be a useful method for studying the immunological abnormality present in atopic subjects.