In vitro Diagnosis of Atopic Allergy

In 20 children with symptoms of asthma or allergic rhinoconjunctivitis the serum concentrations of IgE antibodies (reagins) and of total IgE were followed during and after rush desensitization. The reaginic activity in serum was determined by the radioallergosorbent technique (RAST). In the majority of children an increase was found 2–4 weeks after the start of the treatment both of the IgE antibodies and of the total concentration of IgE. In some cases this increase was very pronounced. Usually the increase of IgE antibodies was more pronounced than that of total IgE. The reaginic increase was often but not always observed during the first days of treatment. The quantitative changes were most varying, both in the group and in the same individual concerning IgE antibodies to different allergens.