title: Monitoring of specific IgG4 antibodies in respiratory allergy due to the pollen of Parietaria judaica. Evidence for a protective role.
abstract: Two groups of 20 patients having an allergic rhinitis due to the pollen of Parietaria judaica were studied, one received a treatment of specific hyposensitization, the other one a placebo. All of them were monosensitized. The study was carried out using double blind methodology and was conducted for one year. Each case was assessed by clinical tests: case history, skin tests, score symptoms, drug consumption, nasal provocation test and by in vitro tests (FAST technique): total and specific IgGE, specific IgG4. The clinical tests revealed a statistically significant improvement in the treated group as compared to those receiving the placebo. We found a statistically significant regular and important increase of specific IgG4 values in the treated group. In this case, the specific IgG4 antibodies most likely play a protective role and act as blocking antibodies.
authors.affiliation: Allergology Department, Ventimiglia Hospital, Italy.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Panzani
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ariano
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Augeri
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D019138:Antibodies, Blocking / Q000276:immunology*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology*; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D019138:Antibodies, Blocking; D007074:Immunoglobulin G