Fractionation of Short-Ragweed Pollen Extracts on Diethylaminoethyl-Cellulose

Abstract

A method is described for fractionation of extracts of short-ragweed pollen using column chromatography with DEAE-cellulose. There appear to be at least seven distinct allergens; four major and three minor, in the phosphate extract of short-ragweed pollen. Practically all patients react to one major allergen but only about 50% react with three other major allergens. The reaction patterns of different patients differ. The patients react to one or more (up to five) of the allergen fractions, but in multiple reactions the fractions are not always the same. The importance of these findings in the treatment of the ragweed sensitive patient is discussed.