[A study in immunofluorescence of the plasma cells in allergic conjunctivitis, in particular of the cells forming immunoglobulin E (IgE) (author's transl)].

The relatively simple and precise technique of direct immunofluorescence on a tissue section enables the study and enumeration of all types of plasma cells including mastocytes (stained with acridine orange) in normal conjunctiva (5 cases), chronic non-allergic conjunctivitis (5 cases), allergic conjunctivitis of the educt (11 cases) and vernal conjunctivitis (11 cases). There is evidence of elevation of IgE plasma cells in type I allergic conjunctivitis where they are twice as raised as in non-allergic cases in adult forms, and three times more elevated in vernal conjunctivitis. There was no correlation between the number of IgE plasma cells in the tissues and IgE level in sera. Thus in air-borne conjunctival allergies local hypersensitivity seems to be the predominant, even exclusive, feature.