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Allergy to snake venom: the use of radioimmunoassay for the detection of IgE antibodies against antigens not suitable for cutaneous tests
Author(s) -
KELLY JOSEPH F.,
PATTERSON ROY
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1973.tb01345.x
Subject(s) - radioimmunoassay , immunoglobulin e , venom , antibody , immunology , anaphylaxis , antigen , allergy , medicine , chemistry , biochemistry
Summary A case of a severe immediate‐type respiratory reaction to rattlesnake venom is reported. Reaginic antibody to the snake venom was demonstrated in the patient's serum by long latency passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in a monkey. IgE antibody against the venom was demonstrated in the patient's serum by a solid phase radioimmunoassay. This report confirms the immediate‐type respiratory reactions that have been observed by others. The study also confirms that these reactions are associated with reaginic antibodies against the venom and that these antibodies are probably of the IgE class. It thus appears most likely that this patient's reaction was due to IgE reaginic antibody. In vitro assays for specific IgE activity may be particularly valuable in cases where antigen may be toxic for skin testing.