[Correlations between BCG-PSN and tuberculin responses].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the correlations between tuberculin responses and allergic rhinitis treated by BCG-PSN.

METHOD: A total 60 patients with allergic rhinitis were randomly divided into BCG-PSN treated group and control group. All patients were given purified protein derivate (PPD), and PPD induration were recorded after 72 h, also the eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and total IgE (TIgE) in serum were assayed with Pharmacia UniCAP System.

RESULT: ECP and tIgE levels of patients treated by BCG-PSN were significantly lower than before treatment (P < 0.01). 37.5% patients who had negative reaction had induration after treatment using BCG-PSN.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that exposure BCG-PSN can correct the imbalance state of Th1 and Th2 cytokines and inhibit allergic airway inflammation and control allergic rhinitis.