Acth in ragweed pollinosis: A histologic, immunologic, and clinical study

1. 1. Nine of 26 ragweed-sensitive patients who received 60 mg. ACTH daily for 4 days showed clinical improvement. 2. 2. None of the 8 patients who received placebo injections were improved. 3. 3. Neither the reagin titer nor skin sensitivity to ragweed pollen were altered by treatment with ACTH for the indicated period. 4. 4. Suggestive evidence was found that there is a correlation between the degree of skin sensitivity, the peripheral eosinophilia, and the tissue eosinophilia. 5. 5. No change in histologic characteristics attributable to the use of ACTH could be demonstrated. Edema and eosinophils in various stages of disintegration were found in pretreatment, posttreatment, and control biopsies.