Dust from mattresses of different composition and age was analysed for mites, xerophilic fungi and allergenic activity. The mites of the genus Demodex were the most abundant (58.2 per cent). Also pyroglyphid mites occurred commonly (36.6 per cent). Pyroglyphid mites were present in small numbers (mean: 1 specimen/0.2 g of dust) in 12 out of the 17 older polyester-foam mattresses. The 11 cotton-horsechair mattresses and the newly used polyester-foam mattresses (three tested) were without them. The dust from the cotton-horsehair mattresses had a significantly higher allergenic activity than from those of polyester-foam. Xerophilic fungi were isolated in three out of 31 mattresses. The species isolated belonged to the genus Aspergillus and Eurotium. E. repens occurred most frequently. Disinfection of mattresses was suggested to have a negative influence on the occurrence of mites and fungi.

It has been demonstrated that human peripheral lymphocytes, stimulated with PHA, form or release a factor that slows platelet electrophoretic mobility (PEM). The factor is chromatographed on Ultrogel AC a 44, has a molecular weight of approximately 45,000, is stable on heating at 56 degrees C for 30 min, but is inactivated by heating at 80 degrees C for 10 min. In addition, it is distinct from leukocyte inhibiting factor, which elutes in the range of BSA (mol. wt. 69,000). The authors conclude, in accordance with previous investigations, that cellular immunity is involved in thrombotic processes.

The effect of DSCG olution per os was studied in four infants with immediate hypersensitivity reaction to cow's milk and egg, manifested by digestive and cutaneous symptoms. Previous administration of a 1 per cent DSCG solution by mouth resulted in diminution of both the digestive and cutaneous symptoms associated with allergen challenge. The best time interval between oral DSCG and the allergen challenge was about 30 min. The drug lost effectiveness when the solution was prepared more than a week in advance of its administration. A 2-year follow-up in two of the patients revealed the reappearance of cutaneous and digestive symptoms and, for the first time, the onset of wheezing while continuing to administer the allergens and despite continuous oral DSCG. The characteristics of these cases raise questions about the means of sensitization, and the possible mechanism of action of oral DSCG in the inhibition of non-digestive symptoms. Clinical indications for its use are discussed.

Four fractions, fraction A,B, C, and D, were isolated from the aqueous extract of wheat flour on a Sephadex G-75 column. It was found that the repeated gel-filtrated fraction A reacts as an antigen with the sera of coeliac patients. On the basis of its molecular weight and amino acid compositions, it is gliadin. Each of the 28 coeliac patients had heat-stable precipitating antibody and higher than normal IgE levels were found in the sera of only three individuals. Specific antigliadin IgE in low quantity was found in only one case. The sera reacting with antigens in high titres were absorbed by anti-IgG and anti-IgA whereupon the antibody level considerably decreased. The main circulating antibody of the patients was IgG.

In order to assess whether response to the natural precursor of catecholamines in the nervous system is impaired in atopy, 500 mg L-dopa was administered to 13 atopic patients with bronchial asthma or hay fever and 13 sex-and-age-matched control subjects. The blood eosinophil count and growth hormone (GH) levels were then determined periodically over a 4-h period. The eosinophil count rose significantly 30 and 60 min after L-dopa in healthy subjects, but not in the atopic patients. The mean rise in GH 30 and 60 min after L-dopa was significantly lower in atopic patients as compared with controls. Injection of apomorphine 0.75 mg elicited increase in GH in nine of the 10 control subjects, but only in six of the 11 atopic patients. These results indicate that central dopaminergic stimulation is often impaired in patients with atopy. In testing GH release, atopy should be considered among the causes of failure to respond.

An asthma data register which collects annually certain data from all known local asthmatic children has been presented. The data register is utilized to make a two-page print-out for every patient, and statistics of the whole material. These data make the continuous surveillance and guidance of the patients possible. The easy-to-use and accurate data material has contributed to rationalization of routine work in an asthma clinic. Team work has also improved because the uniform data material enables various workers to quickly pick out a specific problem from the whole material. The cost, $ 2 to 3 per patient per year, is low compared with the immediate benefit. Indirect benefit is to be expected because the system helps to investigate the problems of asthmatic children.

The allergenic properties of the nine mite species prevalent in the house dust of northwestern Switzerland (Basel and surroundings) were studies. For the preparation of mite extracts, the average weight of each species was first determined and then the number per culture glass counted. Thus the extracts were prepared according to the weight of the mites. They were tested on 115 patients with ashma and/or rhinitis. Tests with patients own house dust and with a human dander/yeast mixture, which served as culture medium for the mites, were carried out simultaneously. Test results were either positive or negative for all substances in 93 patients (80 per cent). Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. farinae and Euroglyphus maynei caused the most frequent and most severe reactions. The species Glycyphagus destructor, G. privatus, Chortoglyphus arcuatus, Gohieria fusca, Tyrophagus putrescentiae and Acarus siro seem to play a less important role, if any, in house dust allergies.

Nasal provocation testing using a measured dose of dry grass pollen has been used as a method of controlling the amount of injection treatment required to achieve decreased sensitivity to grass pollen. This could seldom be shown at the usual top dose of 10,000 P.N.U., but by repeating the top dose until the reaction was negative, complete freedom from pollenosis was achieved in most cases. Strict criteria for assessment of results were used. Conventional dosage regimens produced only 27 percent excellent results, but 94 percent of those patients who became demonstrably nasal test-negative were completely or almost completely free from symptoms in the pollen season.

The purpose of the present investigation was to demonstrate in vitro cellular hypersensitivity to oral lichen planus lesions. Twenty oral lichen planus patients and 20 control persons matched by and sex were examined by the leukocyte migration agarose technique with tissue extracts from oral lichen planus lesions, normal oral mucosa and normal human kidney, the two latter extracts serving as control antigens. The female lichen planus patients showed statistically significant (P=0.004) migration inhibition with extracts from oral lichen planus lesions, which supports the hypothesis of cellular hypersensitivity to oral lichen planus lesions. However, the male lichen planus patients did not show any significant reaction. No significant reaction was found with the control antigens. The findings do not exclude the hypothesis of cellular hypersensitivity to oral lichen planus lesions. Furthermore, they do not support the hypothesis of oral lichen planus being an autoimmune disease.

The effect and tolerance of a new antihistamine, HC 20-511, in daily doses of 2 and 4 mg was compared with cyproheptadine (Periactin) 8 mg daily in 50 cases of chronic urticaria. HC 20-511 4 mg daily proved to be the most effective, rapid and long-lasting. HC 20-511 had less sedative effect than cyproheptadine, but both possessed the same appetite-stimulating effect. However, this was not noted with the smaller dosage of HC 20-511.

In a pilot study, five adult patients with allergic rhinitis due to grass pollen underwent local intranasal hyposensitization with a chemically modified grass pollen extract--a so-called allergoid. Local hyposensitization during a pre-seasonal period resulted in an increased serum level of timothy-specific IgE antibodies in all patients, indicating that the allergoid had immunogenic properties. In four of the patients the clinical effect during the grass pollen season was judged satisfactory. Pre- and post-seasonal provocation test in these four patients also showed a reduction of the nasal sensitivity during this period. All patients tolerated the treatment well without any marked side effects. These promising preliminary results motivate further investigation into this form of therapy.

Transfer factor therapy was applied in three patients with severe atopic dermatitis and given at regular intervals for 1 1/2 years. Clinically, slight improvements were seen, attacks of impetigo ceased and admissions to hospital were not necessary. However, IgE concentrations in serum remained constantly high in all cases and the absolute number of T and B lymphocytes was continuously subnormal despite treatment. The in vitro cellular reactivity to PPD as assayed by a leucocyte migration test was not significantly altered in the patients, although a slight increase was found early on in the therapy. Finally, a serum factor inhibiting leucocyte migration and appearing simultaneously with attacks of impetigo disappeared during treatment. In conclusion, no convincing effect of transfer factor therapy was encountered in immune parameters and no major alterations were found in the status of the patients' atopic dermatitis.

The in vitro measurement of dust allergen-stimulated lymphocyte blastogenesis by the incorporation of H3-thymidine can be a useful measurement for the evaluation of the cellular immune function in dust allergy patients. Dust allergy patients receiving immunotherapy had lower lymphocyte responses than those not receiving immunotherapy. Additionally, dust allergy patients as a whole showed higher lymphocyte stimulation indices than normal control.