The probable role of interferon in allergy.

Sera from 35 patients suffering from autoimmune or allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma, lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Werlhoff disease (autoimmune form), hemorrhagic vasculitis and neurodermatitis and sera from 70 donors were examined for the presence of interferon. Interferon was found in the sera of 17 of the patients but not in any one of the donors' sera. It is suggested that anit-interferon immunoglobulins against human leucocyte interferon should be employed in the treatment of autoimmune or allergic diseases because of the positive clinical results that were obtained. The different hypotheses describing the role of interferon in immunity and allergy are discussed.