Anti-IgG Antibodies and Antinuclear Antibodies in Allergic Patients

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Abstract
With an indirect immunofluorescence technique 77% of 96 patients with type I allergy and 40% of 20 patients with intrinsic bronchial asthma showed positive reactions for IgG anti-IgG antibodies in serum. They were present partly in an aggregated state not directly detectable before treatment with dithiothreitol. The aggregates could be removed by precipitation with polyethylene glycol. The IgG anti-IgG in hyposensitized patients were directed against both F(ab'')2 and Fc fragments of rabbit IgG. Of the type 1 allergic patients 30 were examined once during hyposensitization. Before treatment 87% had IgG anti-IgG (titers 9-72). After .gtoreq. 13 mo. of treatment 100% were positive (titers 36-288). Eight patients were also examined after hyposensitization had been discontinued for at least 12 mo. The titers of IgG anti-IgG had then reverted to the levels obtained before hyposensitization. Of 116 controls matched for sex and age, 7% had IgG anti-IgG antibodies. The production of IgG anti-IgG may be stimulated by the presence of immune complexes and purity, amount and/or combination of allergens administered during hyposensitization may influence the production of anti-IgG antibodies. Neither IgE anti-IgG nor antinuclear antibodies seem to be of particular significance in allergic patients.