are immunological concerns justified?
PURPOSE: We evaluated the humoral immune response in children treated with subureteral collagen injection for vesicoureteral reflux by analyzing serum for anticollagen antibodies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained serum before skin testing and at intervals after subureteral collagen injection in 7 girls and 3 boys with a mean age plus or minus standard error of 9.2+/-1.4 years. Serum antibody titers to bovine collagen, and human collagen types I and III were determined by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients were assessed for adverse reactions related to an immune response to collagen. RESULTS: Followup ranged from 14 to 40 months (mean 24.6) after the initial subureteral collagen injection. One to 4 subureteral collagen injections were given with cumulative collagen volume per patient ranging from 0.15 to 5.1 cc (mean 2.1). In 2 cases no baseline serum sample was obtained. Antibody titers measured in the 8 other patients before skin testing revealed equivocal and nega
