IgG4 antibodies in hay fever patients. Difference in IgG4 response to tree pollen and grass pollen allergens.

Total IgE and IgE and IgG4 antibodies to offending allergens were studied in 118 hay fever patients allergic to tree pollen and grass pollen allergens. No difference in the level of total IgE and IgE antibodies was found between these two groups while the IgG4 antibody level was significantly higher in tree pollen allergic patients. It is suggested that the IgG4 antibodies to tree pollen allergens can be stimulated by structurally related allergens of vegetable food and are probably involved in tree pollen-associated food hypersensitivity.

[IgG4 antibodies to the allergens of grass and tree pollens in pollinosis patients: their diagnostic and prognostic significance].

Total IgE, IgE and IgG4 antibodies to offending allergens were studied in 118 hay fever patients with allergy to tree pollen or to grass pollen. No difference in the level of total IgE and IgE antibodies was found between these groups of patients while the IgG4 antibody level was significantly higher in tree pollen-allergic patients. It has been established that in tree pollen allergy, the determination of IgG4 antibodies is of no less diagnostic value than the assay of IgE antibodies.

[Immunoenzyme test system with monoclonal antibodies to human IgG4 in the determination of allergen-specific antibodies in pollinosis].

ELISA for determination of allergen-specific IgG4 antibodies was developed with the help of monoclonal anti-IgG4 antibodies obtained by classic hybridoma technique. Subclass specificity of antibodies were studied in sera of 108 patients suffering from pollinosis. Antibodies of this isotype were found in the majority of patients with tree pollen allergy but not in patients with grass pollen allergy.

[Alpha 1-protease inhibitor: characteristics of its biochemical and biological properties and its level in various diseases (review of the literature and personal observations)].

The authors review biological and biochemical properties and the clinical importance of the serum proteases alpha 1-inhibitor with broad-range antiproteolytic activity. Congenital deficiency of this protein is a frequent enough condition linked with predisposition to some diseases of the lungs and liver. Early determination of the deficiency of alpha 1-Pi is fairly urgent, since it permits the early administration of the preventive measures and substitution therapy.

[Serum and secretory immunoglobulins in allergic diseases].

A total of 158 patients with pollinosis, bronchial asthma, urticaria and Quincke's edema were examined. The immunoglobulin and C3 levels in sera and the immunoglobulin and albumin levels in saliva were determined by the method of single radial immunodiffusion with the corresponding monospecific antisera. In all the groups of patients subjected to examination the presence of polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia was detected, which was manifested by a rise in the levels of IgG, IgA and especially IgM; the level of IgD was low.