In vitro rapid diagnostic tests for severe drug hypersensitivity reactions in children

In vitro drug-induced T-cell proliferation and cytokine release assays are useful for identification of the causative drug in children with DHR. Cytokine assays (IFN-γ and IL-4) were better than LPA, but when combined, they offer even greater utility in the diagnosis of acute and postrecovery DHR. Cytokine detection is rapid and does not involve radioactivity. These novel in vitro assays may offer a significant advancement in our future management of DHR in children.