Rush immunotherapy with a standardized Bermuda grass pollen extract.

We carried out a double-blind clinical trial in 30 patients who were sensitized to Bermuda grass pollen. Before and after immunotherapy we performed in vivo tests (skin tests and standardized tests of specific and nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity), in vitro tests (histamine release), and specific IgE and IgG antibodies to BGP. We found a significant decrease (P less than .001) in specific bronchial hyperreactivity and skin sensitivity to BGP in the group of patients treated with immunotherapy, a decrease in the delayed responses (P less than .05) in histamine release (P less than .01), and an increase (P less than .001) in specific IgE and IgG antibodies to BGP. The placebo group showed no changes in these parameters.