[Immunodiagnosis and immunotherapy of allergic forms]

The Authors outline the immunological and immunopathogenic bases of atopy, pointing out the possible mechanisms involved in the impaired control capacity on IgE synthesis (hyperreactivity of NK cells, histamine-H2 receptors interaction, adenylcyclase stimulation, etc.). The in vivo and in vitro techniques employed in the allergological diagnosis are examined, with particular reference to the more recent tests (RAST, RAST Spot Test, Histamine radioenzymatic assay, in vitro IgE spontaneous synthesis, etc.). The latest findings in the allergological immunotherapy are then surveyed, including both the antigen non specific immunotherapy and the relevant possibility of inducing a non specific suppressor mechanism of the IgE response, and the antigen specific immunotherapy, which, besides the classical (aqueous, retard) vaccines, exploits the monovalent allergenic extracts, the allergoids (formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde) and the modified allergens (urea, PEG/PVA, D-GL, polysaccharides, photooxydation).