Some considerations on the production and standardization of bacterial allergens

The production and standardization of the bacterial allergens are very difficult and connected with many unknown and disputable problems. The authors have carried out a study with three basic bacterial allergens produced by themselves: bacterial extracts, bacterial suspensions and a mixture of both from Streptococcus hemolyticus and Staphylococcus albus. The specific activity of all allergens in different concentrations is determined by skin intradermal tests simultaneously on 22 patients sensitized to Str. hemolyticus. 23 patients sensitized to Staph. albus, as well as on 10 healthy persons. The results of the study show that the bacterial extracts give predominantly immediate type skin allergic reaction while the bacterial suspensions lead to delayed type reactions. The mixed allergens give both type skin reactions, and reveal more specifically sensitization against the bacteria. The authors suggest that the optimal concentration of the mixed bacterial allergens for diagnosis by intradermal test is 10,000 PNU/ml and 100,000,000 bacterial/ml. The advantages and disadvantages of the three bacterial allergens are discussed.