Cortisone in the treatment of patients with ragweed pollinosis. Determination of changes in sensitivity of the mucosa produced by pre- and co-seasonal cortisone administration

There was no detectable change in the titers of the skin sensitizing antibody or the thermostable antibody in the patients treated with cortisone, and changes in the mucous membrane sensitivity of the eye, nose, and bronchi were determined quantitatively during both periods.

Abstract

1. Fourteen patients having hay fever or a combination of hay fever and asthma due to ragweed were given oral cortisone. The hormone was administered for a short time several months before the ragweed season and again during the pollinating season. Changes in the mucous membrane sensitivity of the eye, nose, and bronchi were determined quantitatively during both periods. 2. Symptoms of hay fever were more difficult to control than were those of asthma. 3. Ten patients developed untoward reactions. Cortisone had to be discontinued in 3 patients because of severe complications. Reasons for this high rate of side reactions are suggested. 4. Cortisone given out of season decreased the sensitivity of the mucosa to ragweed extract. The greatest change occurred in the organs primarily affected. 5. After obtaining relief from cortisone administered during the pollinating season, a dilution of pollen weaker than that required prior to the season produced a reaction of the mucosa. 6. The time of disappearance of intracutaneously injected saline or histamine was somewhat lengthened by cortisone. The disappearance time of hyaluronidase was markedly prolonged. The altered reaction to hyaluronidase is discussed. 7. There was no detectable change in the titers of the skin sensitizing antibody or the thermostable antibody in the patients treated with cortisone.