A Study on the Standardization of the Allergen Skin Test

Abstract

Skin test with various allergenic extracts is one of the tests of diagnostic value for allergic diseases. But as we have no precise standard of this test concerning with the concentration, specificity of allergenic extracts and normal skin reactivity, we the authors tried to establish proper criteria of positive or negative test based on statistical examinations. In this study skin reactivities of normal persons free from allergic diseases were tested for following allergenic extracts. 1) Physiological saline 2) Histamine ×10^<-6> 3) Acetylcholine ×10^<-3> 4) House dust (No.110) ×10^<-3> ……Total N=0.90γ/ml Trot. N=0.17 5) Ragweed pollen (No.2) ×10^<-3> ……Total N=7.93 Prot. N=4.51 6) Lobster ×10^<-3> ……Total N=4.13 Prot. N=0.66 7) Fishes (mixture of mackerel, bonitor, saurel & sardine) ×10^<-3> 8) Egg (whole) ×10^<-3> Skin erythema and wheal were measured in size 15 min. after intradermal injection of 0.02 ml. of rllersens. In conclusion, as the intensity of the allergenic skin reactivity varies with the sorts of the allergens used, the concentration of allergens should be determined based either on normal skin reactivity for each allerfens, or on definite intensity of skin reactions for all allergens. And specificity of skin test for specific allergen sheuld be evaluated in relations to control skin reactivities to physiological saline and histamine or acetylcholine.