Nonspecific binding of IgE to allergens.

Nonspecific IgE binding to allergens was observed in testing myeloma IgEs, namely, IgE-VL and IgE-PS, chimeric IgE (IgE-JW8), and the recombinant IgE Fc epsilon peptide CH1-CH4, in two different immunoassays. This binding was concentration-dependent but detectable only at higher IgE concentration. In RAST inhibition, IgE-allergen interactions could be reduced by using either matching or nonmatching allergens.

Structure and function of IgE myeloma protein VL from an atopic patient.

In a woman suffering from IgE myeloma, hay fever and polyvalent respiratory and skin allergy the IgE monoclonal protein VL was isolated and investigated with respect to structural and functional properties. The amino acid sequence of 22 isolated peptides--especially of the biologically significant C2-C3 part--corresponded with that originally described by Bennich et al. (Immunol Rev 1978;41:3-23; Prog Immunol 1974;13:49-58).

An epidemiologic-immunological inquiry into the incidence of altered immunity in children of school age.

The authors examined 536 children 10 years of age to evaluate their immune status and the development of allergies and recurrent respiratory inflammations. Altered resistance was found in as many as 47% of children, pollen allergy and atopic eczema in at least 10.5%, habitual rhinitis in 15.

[Sperm agglutination antibodies studied in infertile couples at the Women's Clinic in Plzen 1980-1988].

The authors assessed sperm-agglutination antibodies in infertile couples in 1980-1988, using the Kibrick test: in sera from 699 female patients, a positive result was found in 142 (20%) women, in sera from 352 men, in 6 (1.7%) sperm-agglutination antibodies were detected. Using the microagglutination test, they examined sera of 3501 sterile women; in 273 (6.