Lymphocyte transformation by grass pollen allergens. A study of atopic patients receiving immunotherapy.

Peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) transformation by allergens, PPD antigen and PHA mitogen, was followed in 20 allergic patients with grass pollen rhinitis, during and after a preseasonal immunotherapy. Ten patients were treated with Allpyral and 10 with Conjuvac two-grass mixture. Lymphocyte proliferative responses to grass antigens decreased during therapy for most of the patients. Higher values than before treatment were seen in August. Three patients had increased values during the preseasonal treatment. One stopped treatment because of discomfort, the other two got urticaria during the ensuing winter seasons. No effect of immunotherapy was seen on the PPD or PHA response of cells. Cellular changes in relation to changes in specific IgE and IgG antibodies are discussed.