Standardization of rye-grass pollen (Lolium perenne) extract. An immunochemical and physicochemical assessment of six candidate international reference preparations.

Six candidate extracts of Lolium perenne (rye-grass) pollen have been studied in 6 laboratories using a variety of immunochemical and physicochemical techniques. Radioallergosorbent test inhibition, crossed immunoelectrophoresis, crossed radio-immunoelectrophoresis, sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis combined with immunoblot, thin-layer isoelectric focusing and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibition were used to evaluate each of the coded extracts. The source materials were also studied for identity and possible contamination by light microscopy. On the basis of these data, the Rye-Grass Working Party recommended to the Steering Committee of the Allergen Standardization Subcommittee of the International Union of Immunological Societies that the extract coded C be chosen as the candidate international reference preparation.

Simultaneous detection of IgE binding to several allergens using a nitrocellulose 'polydisc'.

The use of nitrocellulose for allergen disc preparation permits several different allergens to be applied as separate spots to the same disc for simultaneous evaluation with one serum sample (50 microliter). To achieve this, an immunological application method involving anti-human IgE and the peroxidase-anti-peroxidase procedure must be used with a substrate that produces an insoluble product. The suitability of the polydiscs for routine clinical evaluation of several allergens at once was demonstrated by testing the sera of seven allergic bakers with discs containing extracts of flour or pollen from wheat, cereal rye, or rye grass.