title: Standardization of allergen extracts.
abstract: In order to increase the precision of diagnosis and the safety of specific immunotherapy, standardization of allergenic extracts has increasingly been required. Because allergenic extracts are complex mixtures of potential allergenic components, it is appropriate to express the composition and potency relative to a standard. Several such standard reference extracts have now been established by international working groups (statued as subcommittees under IUIS and WHO) and are available from central control authorities. The international standards (IS) are available freeze-dried in ampoules and are meant as calibrators (not prototypes) for use in research, production and quality control. The potency of each ampoule is defined the arbitrary assignment of 100,000 IU, whatever potency determination method is used. In individual laboratories the internal reference should be assigned a potency relative to the IS by each of the commonly used methods. This should enable the collaboration of researchers, manufacturers, and control authorities and improve safety in practical immunotherapy.
authors.affiliation: ALK Research, Horsholm.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Matthiesen
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000592:standards*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D012015:Reference Standards
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens