[Studies on antigenic relationship between grass- and cult. rye pollens by skin-test, RAST and RAST-inhibition-test in patients with pollinosis (author's transl)]

Abstract

Skin tests on patients suffering from pollinosis suggest frequently an antigenic relationship between various grass and cult. rye pollens. This problem was further studied using both, RAST and RAST inhibition test. The tests were performed with commercial grass pollen discs as well as with self-prepared disc labeled with cult. rye pollens and a combination of various grass antigens. Good agreement was found between self-made and commercial (single antigen) grass pollen discs (95.9%). RAST and skin test correlated also extremely well (92.3%). Mutual inhibition between grass and cult. rye pollens was measured by RAST inhibition test using self-prepared discs. High antigenic relationship between grass and cult. rye pollens was found, however, it could be demonstrated that the antibody pattern varies and contains "grass specific" antibodies.