Early effect of ultrarush venom immunotherapy on the IgG antibody response.

Background: We have previously shown in several allergy models that allergic and tolerance status with respect to allergens is associated with a somewhat different dominant specificity of IgG antibodies. The objective was to test this hypothesis in the compelling model of ultrarush venom immunotherapy (VIT), which induces clinical tolerance after only a few hours of treatment.

Methods: Antibody titers and specificity were evaluated through solid-phase ELISA using streptavidin-biotin technology in 12 patients allergic to wasp venom before and during the ultrarush procedure (at 12 h, 24 h, and 15 days).

Relationship between allergic status and specificity of IgG antibody to inhaled allergens: the grass pollen model.

Background: We have previously reported that IgG antibodies from healthy individuals and patients suffering from non-seasonal mite allergy bind to different sets of epitopes on Der p 1, allowing almost complete discrimination of the populations.

Objectives: To confirm this observation in a seasonal allergy model where a clear relationship between allergic symptoms and exposure to the offending agent is established. To investigate whether the pattern of modified specificity is related to the differences in IgG subclass hierarchy usually exhibited by nonallergic and allergic populations.

Anti-betalactoglobulin IgG antibodies bind to a specific profile of epitopes when patients are allergic to cow's milk proteins.

Background: We demonstrated recently that mite-allergic patients differed from healthy controls in the specificity of their IgG antibodies towards mite antigens.

Objective: The present study investigates whether these discriminatory IgG responses could be associated with the expression and the evolution of clinical manifestations in allergy to cow's milk proteins.

Methods: Antibody specificity was evaluated by comparing IgG-binding to native bovine beta-lactoglobulin (nBLG) and its products of pepsin hydrolysis (dBLG) using a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Modified antigenic reactivity of anti-phospholipase A2 IgG antibodies in patients allergic to bee venom: conversion with immunotherapy and relation to subclass expression.

Background: We have previously reported that, in addition to modifying IgG levels and subclass distributions, wasp venom immunotherapy (VIT) rapidly changes IgG antibody specificity.

Objectives: We investigated whether such a change can be documented in the IgG response to the major bee venom allergen, phospholipase A2 (PLA2), from patients allergic to bees treated with VIT; whether it is coupled to the shift in IgG subclass distribution (IgG4 predominance) usually observed during VIT; and whether it restores the specificity displayed by IgG antibodies from nonallergic individuals.

Methods: Antibody specificity was evaluated in 17 patients allergic to bee venom in competitive ELISAs by using streptavidin biotin technology.

Wasp venom immunotherapy changes IgG antibody specificity.

Background: The evolution of the IgG response during venom immunotherapy (VIT) has been previously investigated in terms of antibody titres and subclasses.

Objectives: The present work studied the evolution of IgG antibody fine specificity in wasp allergic patients treated with rush VIT.

Methods: Antibody specificity was evaluated in 51 wasp allergic patients in competitive ELISA using streptavidin biotin technology.