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Heterophile antigen content of pollen
IIETEROPHILE ANTIGEN CONTENT OF POIiLEN* A NKGATIVK REPORT PAUL D . GARVJX, M.D.,
AND STANLEY K . KUKLAND
DENVER, COLORADO
F
OLLOWING tlie discovery by Forssman^ in 1911 of lieterophile antigen in the tissues of the guinea pig, it has been reported in other animal tissues and in certain bacteria. The subject, however, remained one of academic interest until the discovery by Davidsohn^ o(. hetero])hile antibody in high titer in the sera of individuals who had received horse serum, witli or without subse
475
476
THE
JOTIRNAIJ O F ALLERGY
On completion of treatment, blood was again taken and the heterophile antibody content of the sera determined, using the same technic as given above. In no instance was there any evidence of an increase of the heterophile antibodj' content in the sera of the treated individuals. An attempt was then made to develop heterox)hile antibody in rabbits by injecting concentrated pollen extract intravenously. One rabbit was given 1.0 c.c. of 1:100 concentration of Russian'thistle extract at fiveday intervals for four doses. Another rabbit received the same dosage of giant ragweed at the same intervals. Five days after the last injection the animals were bled and the sera tested for sheep cell agglutinin, along with the control sera taken from the rabbits before the first injection. The sera taken before injection shoAved a titer of 1 -A. The sera taken after injection showed the same titer. There was no increase in heterophile antibody content following the injection of large amounts ol' concentrated pollen extract. CONCLUSIONS
From this study it would appear that pollen extracts used in tlie treatment of hay fever do not contain heterophile antigen. Consequently, the formation of heterophile antibody does not enter into the mechanism of desensitization of hay fever patients with pollen extracts. REFKKENOES
1. iPorssman, J . : Die Herstellung liochwertiger speciflscher Scliafliamolysine ohiie Verwendung von Schafblut, Biochem. Ztsclir. 37: 78, 1911. -. Davidsohn, I.: Heterophilic Antibodies in Serum Sickness, J. Immunol. 16: 259, 1929. .'!. Paul, J . E., and Bunnell, W. W.: The Presence of Heteropliilic Antibodies in Infectious Mononucleosis, Am. J. M. Sc. 183: 90, 1932. 4. Rockwell, G. E., and Van Kirk, H. C : The Relation of Heterophilic Immunity to the Incidence of Colds, J. Immunol. 28: 475, 1935. 5. Shorb, M. S., and Bailey, G. H . : Heterophile Antigen in Various Bacterial Species, Am. J . Hygiene 19: 148, 1934. 6. Finland, M., Ruegsegger, J. M., and Felton, L. D . : Should Heterophile Antibody Be Used in the Treatment of Pneumococci Pneumonia? .1. A. M. A. 105; 11 SO, 19.35.
AND STANLEY K . KUKLAND
DENVER, COLORADO
F
OLLOWING tlie discovery by Forssman^ in 1911 of lieterophile antigen in the tissues of the guinea pig, it has been reported in other animal tissues and in certain bacteria. The subject, however, remained one of academic interest until the discovery by Davidsohn^ o(. hetero])hile antibody in high titer in the sera of individuals who had received horse serum, witli or without subse
475
476
THE
JOTIRNAIJ O F ALLERGY
On completion of treatment, blood was again taken and the heterophile antibody content of the sera determined, using the same technic as given above. In no instance was there any evidence of an increase of the heterophile antibodj' content in the sera of the treated individuals. An attempt was then made to develop heterox)hile antibody in rabbits by injecting concentrated pollen extract intravenously. One rabbit was given 1.0 c.c. of 1:100 concentration of Russian'thistle extract at fiveday intervals for four doses. Another rabbit received the same dosage of giant ragweed at the same intervals. Five days after the last injection the animals were bled and the sera tested for sheep cell agglutinin, along with the control sera taken from the rabbits before the first injection. The sera taken before injection shoAved a titer of 1 -A. The sera taken after injection showed the same titer. There was no increase in heterophile antibody content following the injection of large amounts ol' concentrated pollen extract. CONCLUSIONS
From this study it would appear that pollen extracts used in tlie treatment of hay fever do not contain heterophile antigen. Consequently, the formation of heterophile antibody does not enter into the mechanism of desensitization of hay fever patients with pollen extracts. REFKKENOES
1. iPorssman, J . : Die Herstellung liochwertiger speciflscher Scliafliamolysine ohiie Verwendung von Schafblut, Biochem. Ztsclir. 37: 78, 1911. -. Davidsohn, I.: Heterophilic Antibodies in Serum Sickness, J. Immunol. 16: 259, 1929. .'!. Paul, J . E., and Bunnell, W. W.: The Presence of Heteropliilic Antibodies in Infectious Mononucleosis, Am. J. M. Sc. 183: 90, 1932. 4. Rockwell, G. E., and Van Kirk, H. C : The Relation of Heterophilic Immunity to the Incidence of Colds, J. Immunol. 28: 475, 1935. 5. Shorb, M. S., and Bailey, G. H . : Heterophile Antigen in Various Bacterial Species, Am. J . Hygiene 19: 148, 1934. 6. Finland, M., Ruegsegger, J. M., and Felton, L. D . : Should Heterophile Antibody Be Used in the Treatment of Pneumococci Pneumonia? .1. A. M. A. 105; 11 SO, 19.35.