Anti-IgG Antibodies and Antinuclear Antibodies in Allergic Patients

With an indirect immunofluorescencc technique 77 % of 96 patients with type I allergy and 40% of 20 patients with intrinsic bronchial asthma showed positive reactions for IgG ami-IgG antibodies in serum. They were present partly in an aggregated state not directly detectable before treatment with dithiothreitol. The aggregates could be removed by precipitation with polyethylene glycol. The IgG ami-IgG in hyposensitized patients were directed against both F(ab')² and Fe fragments of rabbit IgG. Thirty of the type I allergic patients were examined once during hyposensitization as well. Before treatment 87% and IgG anti-IgG (titres 9–72). After ≥ 13 months of treatment 100% were positive (titres 35–288), Fight patterns were also examined after hyposensitzation had been discontinued for at least 12 months. The titres of IgG ami-IgG had then reverted lo the levels obtained before hyposensitization. Of 116 controls matched for sex and age, 79r had IgG ami-IgG anybodies, is suggested that the production of IgG anti-IgG may be stimulated by the presence of immune complexes and that purity, amount and/or combination of allergens administered during hyposensitization may influence the production of anti-JgG antibodies. Neither IgK anti-IgG nor antinuclear antibodies seem to be of particular significance in allergic patients.