Hyposensitization of patients with allergic rhinitis by intranasal administration of chemically modified grass pollen allergen. A pilot study.

: 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.