Antibodies to synthetic ACTH in asthmatic and rheumatic patients

The prevalence of antibodies against synthetic ACTH preparations and porcine gamma globulin was investigated in 29 asthmatic patients, in 28 rheumatic patients, and in 63 normal subjects of both sexes. Agglutinating antibodies were examined by a passive haemagglutination test and IgE antibodies by a radio-immuno assay. The incidence of agglutinating reactions against Synacthén and porcine gamma globulin was significantly higher in the asthmatic and rheumatic groups than in the group of normal subjects. Titres were generally low, attaining supposedly pathological levels (larger than or equal to 1/200) in about 10 per cent of the asthmatic patients and in 20-40 per cent of the rheumatic patients. In asthmatic patients, the incidence of ACTH specific IgE was higher than that in the normal group. This difference was not statistically significant in patients on routine treatment but it became satistically significant after ACTH booster treatment. In rheumatic patients the incidence of IgE antibodies against ACTH was insignificantly lower than that in the normal group. The incidence of agglutinating antibodies against vasopressin in asthmatic and rheumatic patients was also increased as compared with that in normal subjects and the titres were positively correlated to those against ACTH.