The Non‐Specific Enhancement of Allergy I.

Abstract

Bordetella pertussis organisms, with or without a small dose of alumhydroxide, enhance in rats the production of IgE antibodies to an unrelated antigen, even if this antigen has been administered 6 weeks beforehand. This non-specific enhancement of IgE antibodies is accompanied by a substantial rise in total serum IgE and by the production of IgE antibodies to B. pertussis. The effect of B. pertussis on IgE synthesis is dose-dependent. No effect of B. pertussis on IgE production can be observed in nude rats.