Prevalence and subclass distribution of IgG-anti-IgE autoantibodies in atopy and parasitosis.
Using immunoblotting, we investigated sera of 60 patients with atopic dermatitis, 12 patients with helminth infections and 36 nonallergic controls, for anti-IgE autoantibodies. We found IgG anti-IgE autoantibodies in 62% of the atopics, 42% of the patients with parasitosis and 11% of the controls. IgG anti-IgE occurred most often (94%) in patients with atopic dermatitis plus additional atopic disorder, such as allergic asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis. In parallel, we found a significantly higher occurrence of IgG anti-IgE in the patients with high IgE levels compared to patients with low IgE levels (p less than 0.0005). The predominant subclasses of anti-IgE autoantibodies were IgG1 and IgG3 in atopy and parasitosis. In the controls, we found IgG4 and IgG3 anti-IgE, but no IgG1 autoantibodies. The frequency of IgG2 anti-IgE was very low; it occurred in 2 patients only. Prevalence and IgG subclass distribution of anti-IgE autoantibodies was found to be different for patients with atopic dermatitis, parasitic infection and for controls.
Scheuer
A
A
Research Institute Borstel, FRG.
Haas
H
H
Schlaak
M
M
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes / Q000276:immunology; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000276:immunology*
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes; D007073:Immunoglobulin E