COMPARATIVE SKIN TESTS WITH ANIMAL AND SYNTHETIC CORTICOTROPHIN IN PATIENTS HYPERSENSITIVE TO ANIMAL CORTICOTROPHIN

Abstract

ABSTRACT A study of the literature shows that 5 % of patients are hypersensitive to animal ACTH. Anaphylactic shock, even with a fatal issue, may occur (van Ufford 1952; Hill & Swinburn 1954; Eisalo et al. 1956). The same rather high percentage was also found for our own patients. In seven patients who had previously shown violent clinical reactions following the use of animal ACTH (Cortrophin), comparative skin tests were carried out with Cortrophin and the synthetic ACTH preparation, tetracosapeptide (CIBA 30.920-Ba). All patients showed a markedly positive skin reaction to the highly purified animal ACTH (Cortrophin); in two of these patients, the reaction occurred late. Skin reactions to the synthetic ACTH were negative. The synthetic ACTH, must be regarded as a valuable addition in the therapeutic use of ACTH, particularly in patients predisposed to allergic reactions (asthmatics).