Hypersensitivity to pancreatic extracts in parents of patients with cystic fibrosis.

Because immediate hypersensitivity reactions can occur in individuals exposed to powdered pancreatic 
extracts, 36 patients with cystic fibrosis and 51 patents of such 
patients wwer studied for evidence of sensitization. Sensitivity to the extracts 
as evidence by history and skin testing was infrequent in the 
children with cystic fibrosis. However, skin testing for immediate hypersensitivity with 
either crude pancreatic extracts or inactivated trypsin correlated well in their 
patents with a history of clinical symptoms. IgE mediation of these 
reactions in sensitized individuals was demonstrated by antigen- induced histamine release 
from leukocytes, passive transfer studies, and immediate response to inhalation challenge. 
