INTRANASAL STEROIDS INHIBIT SEASONAL INCREASES IN RAGWEED-SPECIFIC IMMUNOGLOBULIN-E ANTIBODIES

We performed two seasonal studies to evaluate the effect of continuous treatment with intranasal steroids, beginning approximately 1 week be fore the apperance of ragweed pollen, on the level of ragweed-specific IgE antibodies in serum. In both studies the control groups showed th e anticipated rise in ragweed-specific IgE antibodies after the ragwee d season. In the first study, employing aqueous beclomethasone dipropi onate (168 mug twice daily), no rise occurred in serum ragweed IgE aft er seasonal exposure and the level actually decreased in eight of 12 t reated subjects. In the second study, with triamcinolone acetonide (22 0 mug twice daily), the expected rise in ragweed IgE antibody was also reduced, although less dramatically, probably as a result of the lowe r potency of the dose delivered. Our studies not only support the bene fits of intranasal steroids in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhin itis but also suggest that specific IgE production may be down-regulat ed by their continuous use, which may alter the subsequent clinical co urse of the disease.