[Atopy and RAST. Diagnostic, therapeutic and standardization problems. Experimental contribution (allergy to...

The authors outline the immunological and immunogenetic bases of atopy, as well as the radioimmunological techniques employed in the allergological diagnosis and purification as well as standardization of the allergens. The latest trends of the allergological immunotherapy are examined, covering fundamentally two wide fields: the possibility to elicit an aspecific immunological tolerance (soluble suppressor substances of IgE response; Asp-Ser-Asp-Pro-arg pentapeptide, D-GL copolimer conjugated aptens) or the specific induction of "suppressor" mechanisms (allergoids, modified allergens). The preliminary results obtained on sera of patients with a symptomatology highly indicative of penicillin allergy, employing RAST Penicilloil G and Penicilloil V, are also reported.