Skin tests on hay fever cases with (chemically) different fractions from ragweed pollen

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

During the course of some experiments on anaphylaxis in guinea pigs with solutions made from ragweed pollen, it was found desirable to work with extracts of more definite or purer chemical composition. This was accomplished through the cooperation of Dr. George Eadie (Department of Bio-Chemistry, University of Toronto). With certain of the solutions thus obtained, Miss Cecile Cohen has been able to induce both active and passive anaphylaxis. Further, it would appear, that, though injections with one fraction will induce an anaphylactic condition to that particular fraction, the animal may not be sensitive to other fractions, even though these other fractions can act as satisfactory sensitizing antigens in varying degrees. Reports upon both the chemical and immunological aspects of the experiments are in the course of preparation for publication. Shortly after the earlier results were obtained with guinea pigs it seemed desirable to see what information could be obtained by using the different fractions for skin tests with cases of hay fever known to be sensitive to ragweed. The method used was a skin scratch of about 2 to 3 mm. in length upon which a droplet of NaOH solution was placed and the dried fraction rubbed in with a blunt glass applicator. The present report is to show that ragweed cases, as judged by the results of the skin tests to (chemically) different fractions of ragweed, exhibit a distinct and individual variation. While as many as 16 different preparations have been used for the tests, 4 fractions have seemed of more importance than the rest. These are (1) a mixture of albumin and proteose; (2) proteose; (3) glutenin; and (4) a 95 per cent alcoholic extract. To afford a measure of control either dried pollen, acetone precipitate bodies (prepared as advocated by Bauman, Chudnoff and Mackenzie) or a glycerine and salt solution, diluted 1-4, has been used as well.