Allergy and parasites: the measurement of total and specific IgE levels in urban and rural communities in Rhodesia.
Eighty adult asthmatics living in an African city had a significantly higher serum IgE level (799 u/ml) than the control group (350 u/ml). A high proportion (78.7%) of the asthmatics had demonstrable circulating mite-specific IgE antibodies. The rural population of a filariasis endemic region was investigated and although no allergic subjects were identified, the group had a significantly higher IgE level (1613 u/ml) than the asthmatics and also showed a relatively high incidence of grass pollen-specific IgE antibodies (35%). The discrepancy between clinical history and laboratory results supports the mast cell saturation hypothesis and suggests: (a) an explanation for the susceptibility to allergy of African and Asian immigrants to Great Britain, and (b) a practical approach for preventing allergic reactions in vivo.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D003904:Mitosporic Fungi / Q000276:immunology; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D011058:Pollen; D012424:Rural Population; D014505:Urban Population; D015030:Zimbabwe
D004391:Dust; D007073:Immunoglobulin E