A novel therapy for atopic dermatitis with allergen-antibody complexes: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
BACKGROUND
Exposure to airborne allergens exacerbates symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD) in hypersensitive patients.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to determine whether the administration of allergen-antibody complexes would improve the symptoms of AD.


METHODS
Twenty-four adults with AD and hypersensitivity to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt) were treated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial by intradermal injections of complexes containing autologous specific antibodies and Dpt allergens. After 4 months, placebo-treated patients started receiving active treatment. All patients were treated for a full year. Clinical status and Dpt-specific IgG and IgE antibody levels were monitored.


RESULTS
Symptoms of AD subsided within a few weeks after starting therapy, with significant reduction after 4 months in treated patients only. After 1 year, 82% of the patients exhibited a mean improvement of 83%, associated with reduction of Dpt-specific IgG antibodies.


CONCLUSIONS
The treatment of Dpt-sensitive patients with AD by injections of allergen-antibody complexes is safe and effective in a majority of patients.
Leroy
B P
BP
Unit of Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Boden
G
G
Lachapelle
J M
JM
Jacquemin
M G
MG
Saint-Remy
J M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000485:Allergens; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007073:Immunoglobulin E