Studies of Immediate Wheal Reactions and of Reaginio Antibodies in Pregnancy and in the Newborn Infant

Abstract

Summary

Eight Schick negative pregnant women were given repeated injections of fluid diphtheria toxoid during pregnancy to stimulate formation of reaginic antibodies as judged by IWR. Although this occurred in most cases, it was not mirrored in the cord bloods of the corresponding infants which were examined for reagins at term. In addition, the skin of all infants was unreactive in the presence of intradermal toxoid. On the other hand, IWR were elicited in these infants and their mothers when they served as recipients for passive transfer (P.K.) tests using reaginic antibodies derived from an alternate source.