ANTIBODIES TO SYNTHETIC ACTH IN ASTHMATIC AND RHEUMATIC PATIENTS

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Abstract
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 [immunoglobulin E] antibodies by a radioimmuno assay. The incidence of agglutinating reactions against Synacthen and porcine .gamma.-globulin was significantly higher in the asthmatic and rheumatic groups than in the group of normal subjects. Titers were generally low, attaining supposedly pathological levels (.gtoreq. 1/200) in about 10% of the asthmatic patients and in 20-40% 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 statistically significant after ACTH booster treatment. In rheumatic patients the incidence of IgE antibodies against ACTH was significantly 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 titers were positively correlated to those against ACTH.