Cellular histamine release, specific and total serum IgE levels in hay fever patients and controls.

The amount of histamine released from blood leucocytes by allergen, the amount of allergen required to release 50% histamine and the total IgE and IgE specific for Dactylis glomerata are compared in nine hay fever patients and five control individuals. The variation with time of total IgE, of specific IgEe and of the percentage of histamine released at a fixed allergen concentration, corresponding to the cellular sensitivity, is shown for one control individual with positive in vitro and skin tests, but without clinical symptoms. For four patients with a low total IgE level the evolution of these parameters during a 1 year treatment period is presented.