Studies of Hypersensitivity to Fish

Abstract

An allergen extract from cod was precipitated with phosphotungstic acid as used in the micro-biuret method for total protein determination. The major allergenic activity was found in the precipitate. Dialysable components were of minor importance for allergic reactions. The extract was absorbed with homologous and heterologous antisera from rabbits. The allergenic activity was neutralized by the homologous antiserum only, showing that the allergen(s) in question also acted as antigen(s) in the rabbit. The extract was found to contain also protein antigens that did not act as allergens in fish hypersensitive children.