Lymphocyte proliferative responses to the purified Dermatophagoides farinae major allergen in untreated and hyposensitized atopic patients

Abstract

We investigated the proliferative response of lymphocytes from mite-sensitive patients (RAST D. far > 3.5 PRU/ml) in the presence of the major allergen Der.f.I purified from Dermatophagoides farinae. Comparative studies were carried out with peripheral blood mononuclear cells from non-atopic donors (RAST = 0), and from patients undergoing hyposensitization treatment (5 to 24 months). Acording to Students''s t-test, there was no significant difference in the Der.f.I-induced proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from normal donors, untreated atopic patients and hyposensitized patients. In conclusion, it was impossible to discrimnate between normal donors, atopic patients and hyposensitized patients with regard to their circulating lymphocyte responses to the purified major allergen Der.f.I.