title: Allergen-antibody complexes in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: preliminary results of a double-blind placebo-controlled study.
abstract: Twenty-three adult patients suffering from chronic atopic dermatitis (AD) have been treated by regular injections of complexes made of D. pteronyssinus allergens and specific autologous antibodies. A double-blind placebo-controlled protocol was followed for 4 months, then the patients were treated openly to complete a full year on active therapy. Preliminary results are presented for the first 8 months. Seventy-three percent of patients improved when treated with complexes, showing a mean improvement of more than 70% after 4 months. This study suggests that injections of allergen-antibody complexes is an effective treatment of at least some forms of AD and confirms that airborne allergens are significant exacerbating factors of AD.
authors: Unité de Dermatologie Professionnelle et de l'Environnement, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
authors: B P
authors: BP
authors: Leroy
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Boden
authors: M G
authors: MG
authors: Jacquemin
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Lachapelle
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Saint-Remy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000627:therapeutic use; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000628:therapy*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides