Local ocular immunotherapy for experimental allergic conjunctivitis.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

We studied the efficacy of eyedrops as local ocular immunotherapy against experimental allergic conjunctivitis.

METHODS:

Guinea pigs were sensitized with an intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OA). Three weeks after the sensitization, a low concentration (10 microg/mL) of OA eyedrops was administered once a day for 3 weeks. Six weeks after the sensitization, an allergic inflammation was provoked with 20 mg/mL of OA eyedrops.

RESULTS:

In conjunctival clinical scores 30 minutes after the allergen challenge, there was no significant difference between the controls and the treated group. The total number of inflammatory cells in the conjunctiva 8 hours after the allergen challenge was significantly decreased in the treated group (60.8 +/- 23.2 cells/field) compared with the control group (199.1 +/- 83.4 cells/field). Eosinophils in the conjunctiva 24 hours after the allergen challenge were also significantly decreased in the treated group (22.1 +/- 15.5 cells/field) compared with the control group (50.3 +/- 15.0 cells/field).

CONCLUSIONS:

In this study, local ocular immunotherapy mainly suppressed the late phase reaction of allergic inflammation. These results coincide with previous studies of immunotherapy in which a subcutaneous injection was used. Local ocular immunotherapy is effective against experimental allergic conjunctivitis.

• Authors: H Machida, T Nakagami, I Watanabe
• Journal: Japanese journal of ophthalmology (Jpn J Ophthalmol) 2000 Nov-Dec Vol. 44 Issue 6 Pg. 634-8 ISSN: 0021-5155 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 11094179 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Allergens
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• Ovalbumin

Topics

• Allergens (immunology)
• Animals
• Conjunctiva (immunology, pathology)
• Conjunctivitis, Allergic (etiology, pathology, therapy)
• Desensitization, Immunologic
• Eosinophils (pathology)
• Guinea Pigs
• Leukocyte Count
• Lymphocytes (pathology)
• Male
• Neutrophils (pathology)
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• Ovalbumin (immunology, therapeutic use)