| abstract |
Devices, methods, and kits are provided for allergy testing based on basophil activation in a blood sample. Susceptibility of an individual to an allergic reaction to an allergen is detected by collecting a blood sample from the individual and assaying for activation of basophils in response to stimulation with an allergen. In particular, a microfluidic device is provided for automating the assay for detecting basophil activation as an indication of the susceptibility of an individual to an allergic reaction as well as kits containing such a device and diagnostic methods for using such a device for allergy testing. Additionally, such a microfluidic device can be adapted for multiplexed detection of allergic responses to multiple allergens by performing assays in parallel to detect the basophil responses to each allergen. |