Trials of alum-precipitated pollen extracts in the treatment of hay fever

Philip S. Norman, Walter L. Winkenwerder, Lawrence M. Lichtenstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

Immunotherapy (desensitization) of hay fever with aqueous extracts of pollen is limited to rather small immunizing doses because of the risk of allergic or anaphylactic reactions. Alum-precipitated pollen extracts are absorbed more slowly, and larger doses may be given in fewer injections with a reduced rate of untoward systemic reactions. In a controlled study, alum-precipitated ragweed extract gave therapeutic results in fall hay fever equal to those obtained with aqueous ragweed extract. Immunologic responses to the two types of extract (measured by the technique of histamine release from isolated washed leukocytes) were also similar. Safer antigen preparations which permit higher doses need to be sought further.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)31-44
Number of pages14
JournalThe Journal of allergy and clinical immunology
Volume50
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1972
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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