Summary
The classic cross neutralization test was shown to be inadequate for defining the number of allergens present in the different ragweed pollen fractions which had been isolated by paper electrophoresis. A new method, based on the ability of the allergen solutions to “desensitize” sites prepared with allergic serum, rather than to “neutralize” them, was introduced.
The presence of at least two different allergens in the ragweed pollen fractions was demonstrated using the method described in this paper.
It was also shown that sera of allergic in dividuals contained at least two reagins or two groups of reagins.
Footnotes
Supported by a grant from the Department of Health and Welfare, Canada, and the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.; we are also indebted to the Charles E. Frosst Co., Frank W. Horner Co., Montreal, and Eli Lilly Co., Indianapolis, for financial assistance.
