Skin reactivity to purified pollen allergens in highly ragweed-sensitive individuals

Five hundred twenty-five atopic patients were skin tested over a 12-mo period to several crude allergens with a puncture skin-testing technique utilizing a bifurcated needle originally developed for smallpox immunization. Of these, 122 were highly allergic to short ragweed pollen and were subsequently tested with a series of purified grass and ragweed allergens. Data of their reactivity to these allergens is presented, and the phenomenon that each patient has a unique "allergic fingerprint" to purified pollen allergens is shown. The puncture technique showed good correlation with quantitative intradermal skin titration and offered a definite advantage, because many allergens could be rapidly and accurately assayed with good patient compliance.