[Objective immunological and clinical data observed during an altitude cure at Briançon in asthmatic children allergic to house dust and dermatophagoides (author's transl)].

In 42 asthmatic children with positive intradermal skin tests to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and domestic dust, assays of total and specific IgE were done at regular intervals during a prolonged (9 months) stay at high altitude (Briançon 1300 m). Geometric mean of total IgE (1047 UI/ml at the beginning) dropped to 40% (p less than 0,001) after the stay. In the same way, specific IgE to dermatophagoides, to domestic dust and to grass pollen dropped during the stay (p less than 0,001). On the other hand, other immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA and IgM) did not undergo any significant variations. Clinical improvement of asthma in these allergic children was observed at the first week of stay and could be maintained without drugs during all the 9 months in altitude. Rather than a consequence of an aspecific effect of altitude on the biosynthesis of reaginic antibodies, it would seem that the very consistent fall in total and specific IgE and the clinical improvement should be interpreted as the result of removal from antigenic provocation into a hypoallergenic atmosphere.