Blocking activity of mite-specific IgG antibodies studied by skin tests

The aim of the study was to determine whether IgG antibodies from patients on specific immunotherapy could inhibit skin test reactivity of allergens when mixed with them prior to testing. In a preliminary double-blind study, mite extracts were incubated with glycero-saline solution or non-specific IgG and used in testing 15 patients. Wheal and flare diameters produced with the two mite extracts did not differ significantly. In a second double-blind study with 15 other patients, skin tests using mite extracts incubated with either non-specific IgG or specific IgG showed significantly decreased diameters when mite extracts were preincubated with specific IgG. This result, in vivo, confirms the antigen neutralizing capacity of specific IgG demonstrated in vitro.