A novel therapy for atopic dermatitis with allergen-antibody complexes: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Abstract

Exposure to airborne allergens exacerbates symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD) in hypersensitive patients. Our purpose was to determine whether the administration of allergen-antibody complexes would improve the symptoms of AD. Twenty-four adults with AD and hypersensitivity to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt) were treated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial by intradermal injections of complexes containing autologous specific antibodies and Dpt allergens. After 4 months, placebo-treated patients started receiving active treatment. All patients were treated for a full year. Clinical status and Dpt-specific IgG and IgE antibody levels were monitored. Symptoms of AD subsided within a few weeks after starting therapy, with significant reduction after 4 months in treated patients only. After 1 year, 82% of the patients exhibited a mean improvement of 83%, associated with reduction of Dpt-specific IgG antibodies. The treatment of Dpt-sensitive patients with AD by injections of allergen-antibody complexes is safe and effective in a majority of patients.