Allergen-antibody complexes in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: preliminary results of a double-blind placebo-controlled study.

Twenty-three adult patients suffering from chronic atopic dermatitis (AD) have been treated by regular injections of complexes made of D. pteronyssinus allergens and specific autologous antibodies. A double-blind placebo-controlled protocol was followed for 4 months, then the patients were treated openly to complete a full year on active therapy. Preliminary results are presented for the first 8 months. Seventy-three percent of patients improved when treated with complexes, showing a mean improvement of more than 70% after 4 months. This study suggests that injections of allergen-antibody complexes is an effective treatment of at least some forms of AD and confirms that airborne allergens are significant exacerbating factors of AD.