Serum immunoglobulin E levels in patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia - experience from a tertiary hospital in Taiwan.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

Primary hypogammaglobulinemia has been proposed to be associated with an increased incidence of allergic diseases, but the correlation between the clinical presentation and the serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) level has not been studied in this patient group. This study investigated the correlation of IgE levels and allergic condition in patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia.

METHODS:

Thirty five patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia were enrolled from September 2004 to March 2005. Serum IgE levels were measured at clinic follow-up. Information regarding the patient's history of allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and asthma, were collected from chart review and clinic interviews.

RESULTS:

Significantly lower mean +/- standard deviation serum IgE levels were found in allergic patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia (123.9 +/- 148.8 IU/mL) than in the healthy control group (376.2 +/- 471.7 IU/mL) [p < 0.005] or in allergic patients without primary hypogammaglobulinemia (544.1 +/- 309.1 IU/mL) [p < 0.001].

CONCLUSIONS:

Serum IgE level is not a suitable diagnostic criterion or treatment guide for allergy in patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia.

• Authors: Wen-Ju Tsai, Jeng-Yee Lin, Yao-Hsu Yang, Jyh-Hong Lee, Bor-Luen Chiang
• Journal: Journal of microbiology, immunology, and infection = Wei mian yu gan ran za zhi (J Microbiol Immunol Infect) Vol. 42 Issue 3 Pg. 271-5 (Jun 2009) ISSN: 1995-9133 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19812862 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Immunoglobulin E

Topics

• Adolescent
• Agammaglobulinemia (immunology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Hospitals
• Humans
• Hypersensitivity (immunology)
• Immunoglobulin E (blood)
• Male
• Statistics, Nonparametric
• Taiwan
• Young Adult