Phyllis A. Myers

Antibody studies in constitutional reactions resulting from injections of ragweed pollen extract

Abstract 1.1. Skin sensitizing antibody titers of patients having constitutional reactions to ragweed were significantly higher than those found in any group of skin test, positive, symptomatic or asymptomatic, treated or untreated patients. 2.2. Blocking antibody titers of patients who had constitutional reactions were lower than those found in the group of patients treated with high doses of aqueous extract and in patients who had received the ragweed emulsion, but were comparable to those found in patients receiving a similar amount of aqueous ragweed extract. 3.3. Hemagglutinating titers were similar in patients who had constitutional reactions and in those patients receiving low amounts of aqueous ragweed extract but were less than the post-repository group and the group treated with high doses of aqueous extract.

Hypogammaglobulinemia and bronchial asthma: Report of two cases in adults

Abstract Two cases of coexisting hypogammaglobulinemia and bronchial asthma occurring in women between the ages of fifty and sixty are described. This association of diseases has not been reported previously. Treatment with intramuscular gamma globulin resulted in improvement in one of the patients. The relationship between circulating skin-sensitivity antibodies and gamma globulin is discussed.

SPONTANEOUS AND INDUCED ALLERGIES OF THE IMMEDIATE TYPE IN MAN A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract Many differences that seem to exist between the spontaneous and induced allergies have been mentioned. They are evidenced in clinical-immunologic-electrophoretic and chemical studies (Table VI). An interpretation of these findings is that, in spite of a certain similarity due to the presence of a skinsensitizing mechanism in sera of spontaneous and induced sensitizations, there is reason to believe that there are basic differences, the nature and extent of which are still not clear but cannot be cavalierly dismissed. It may be in the 6Comparison of Skin-Sensitizing AntibodiesSpontaneousInducedSpecificityBroadStrictRelative P.T. titerOften highUsually lowTemperature responseLabileLess labilePlacental filtrationNoNot knownCell affinityYesYesEPH serum patternsNormalAbnormal ∗ Association with:EPH serum componentsAlpha 2 , beta, gammaGamma, beta?EPH gamma globulin15 per cent † 50 per cent † Chemical gamma globulinInsignificantAppreciable∗Many be due to precipitins.†Of serum reactivity.site of antibody production or even in the character and constitution of the antibodies, all of which indicates the need of further study in order finally to understand what is the constitutional defect that produces the allergic man.

Immuno-serólogic studies of the immediate wheal-type allergies.

1. 1. The skin-sensitizing antibody for ragweed has not thus far been found to exist in the albumin or alpha1 components of serum. It appears to exist in gamma globulin, but with variations. 2. 2. It appears to exist in the beta and possibly in the alpha2 globulin or in the interzones to these components. 3. 3. Neither gamma globulin nor beta globulin nor alpha2 is essential to skin reactivity since reactions have been found in the absence of each of these components in electrophoretically detectable amounts. 4. 4. The differences observed in different sera suggest a variation in the distribution of the sensitizing antibody through the globulin area and in this way agrees with the biological variations that ragweed sensitive sera have been shown to possess.Abstract 1.1. The skin-sensitizing antibody for ragweed has not thus far been found to exist in the albumin or alpha 1 components of serum. It appears to exist in gamma globulin, but with variations. 2.2. It appears to exist in the beta and possibly in the alpha 2 globulin or in the interzones to these components. 3.3. Neither gamma globulin nor beta globulin nor alpha 2 is essential to skin reactivity since reactions have been found in the absence of each of these components in electrophoretically detectable amounts. 4.4. The differences observed in different sera suggest a variation in the distribution of the sensitizing antibody through the globulin area and in this way agrees with the biological variations that ragweed sensitive sera have been shown to possess.

Experimental sensitization with penicillinase

Abstract Thirty-six guinea pigs and nine rabbits were given five semiweekly injections of penicillinase. Some animals received pure penicillinase, whereas others received it in combination with human albumin and/or Freunds adjuvant. All of the animals became sensitive to penicillinase. The degree of sensitivity was measured quantitatively by determining levels of circulating precipitins, agglutinins, and anaphylactic reactivity. Freunds adjuvant potentiated the sensitizing activity of penicillinase.

The Antibody Mechanism of Ragweed Allergy. Electrophoretic and Chemical Studies

Three human serums containing artificially produced blocking antibody against low ragweed allergen were studied for the possibility of relating blocking antibody to electrophoretically definable components. An adaptation of the qualitative passive transfer test to quantitative interpretation is described, methods and procedures are given and uncertainties and possible errors due to lack of precision and accuracy are presented and discussed. At least 65 per cent, but probably more, if not all of the blocking antibody is attributable to gamma globulin. However, no rise of gamma globulin, either its absolute amount or its relative percentage value, paralleled the appearance of blocking antibody. Blocking antibody is not contained in albumin or in alpha-1 globulin. Blocking effect could not be ascertained unequivocally as being connected with alpha-2 or with beta globulin and sizable participation of these two latter electrophoretic components appears improbable. Blocking antibody and sensitizing antibody appear to be chemically different entities.