Influence of detergent on aerosol allergic sensitization with enzymes of Bacillus subtilis.

An anionic detergent, sodiumdodecylbenzenesulphonate, had an adjuvant effect upon aerosol allergic sensitization with subtilopeptidase A, a proteolytic enzyme of Bacillus subtilis. Both local and systemic antibody responses were accelerated and prolonged by use of the detergent. This adjuvant effect was only seen when an inactive form of the enzyme was used. The detergent, however, was able to potentiate early clinical responses upon initial exposure to the active enzyme.