Immunological and clinical evaluation during a 12 month period of immunotherapy.

Serum IgE and IgG4 were eyakllled In twenty adult allergic rfIlnltls subjects during a 12-month Immunotherapy (n) course against common Inhalant allergens. The selection criteria for IT were the ...of a prolonged history of allergic diseases and a positive skin test for common InhirlBlt allergens. Twenty non-stoplc adult, served as the control group. By ualng arRyIII8-llnked Immunoassay a nonnal range of IgE and IgG4 were 78 ::1:40 IU/ml and 180 ::1:54 IIf(IIml, respectively. The changes In IgE and IgG4 leyels were compared with significant Improyements of symptoms and drug consumption. The clinical and laboratory re sponses to IT were c0nsidered good In 8 ceses (40%). moderate In 7 c_(35%), and poor In the remaining 5 cases (25%). A regression analysis revealed a negative simple linear correlation between elevated leyel of 19G4 and diminished lwei of clinical symptom scores during 12 months of IT (Pearson's r=-0.7548). The aum IgG 4 IeYel after one year IT predicted change In clinical symptom scores.