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RIA dosages of specific IgE antibodies to cow milk, alpha-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin, casein, cheddar and mould cheese were determined in 440 patients. Statistic analysis has been carried out with: 1) the linear regression and correlation coefficient r2: 2) U test of Mann-Whitney and then S test of Kendall Results show that casein has low allergenicity in comparison to other cow's milk proteins. It could be unnecessary to quantify specific IgE to cow milk and cheeses. From the observed data we could suppose that the formulas with casein/blood protein ratio similar to maternal milk may be more allergenic than casein based ones.

Eighty-five patients affected by chronic urticaria (45 females and 40 males) were submitted to intradermal tests with house and storage mites in order to evaluate a possible sensitization to these allergens. The same allergological tests were performed in an 80-subject control group. The results showed immediate cutaneous reactivity to one or more mites in 40 patients (47%) while only 6 positivities (7.5%) were found in the control group. 27 patients, out of the 40 allergic to mites, were submitted to specific desensitizing therapy. 6 of them showed a complete recovery, 20 good results and only 1 slight improvement of clinical manifestations. These data allow us to hypothesize that the allergy to mite allergens is an important etiopathogenic factor in several chronic so called "idiopathic" urticarias.

Thirty children with cow's milk protein intolerance were submitted to skin tests with either alpha-lactalbumin and casein commercial products or substitutes commonly used for infant feeding. This method showed helpful in choosing the proper milk substitute for affected children.

For many years molds have considered to be important causes of rhinitis and asthma but since they have been poorly studied many questions remain unanswered. Allergological and epidemiological considerations have been made by the authors concerning the role of the Alternaria tenuis in respiratory diseases in children. 253 subjects were skin tested, 9.48 percent had an immediate reaction, 3.55 were also positive to the fungus only. Good correlation was observed between positive skin tests and RAST (66%). This study confirmed that probably Alternaria tenuis has an important role as immunopathogen for rhinitis and asthma in children. The authors discuss epidemiological considerations and related problems.