Serum IgE and IgG to formaldehyde-human serum albumin: lack of relation to gaseous formaldehyde exposure and symptoms.
Fifty-five subjects were studied to determine if the presence of IgE or IgG antibodies to formaldehyde (F)-human serum albumin (HSA) was associated with exposure to gaseous F or with respiratory or conjunctival symptoms from such exposure. The study population included cohorts exposed to F in the workplace, smokers, and normal subjects. IgE antibody specific for F-HSA was detected by ELISA in three subjects; immediate-type skin testing was negative in two of these subjects, and not interpretable because of dermatographism in one subject. One of these subjects had a history of respiratory symptoms when the subject was working in a histology laboratory that contained ambient F and xylene; a respiratory challenge with F at concentrations of up to 2 ppm failed to produce respiratory symptoms or significant changes in pulmonary function. Serum from the three subjects with IgE to F-HSA by ELISA failed to passively transfer skin reactivity to F-HSA to rhesus monkey recipients. These three subjects and two other subjects had IgG to F-HSA by ELISA, although this was of generally low titer. We could not define a relationship between the presence of antibodies and (1) a history of F exposure or (2) a history of adverse respiratory or conjunctival symptoms from F. This study is a continuum of 5 years of study in our laboratory attempting to define allergy to gaseous F, and the current study does not support an immunologic basis for respiratory or conjunctival symptoms from gaseous F exposure. Based on the findings of this and our other studies, it is possible that clinical IgE-mediated allergy to gaseous F does not exist, or if it does exist, it is extremely rare.
Dykewicz
M S
MS
Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill 60611.
Patterson
R
R
Cugell
D W
DW
Harris
K E
KE
Wu
A F
AF
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests
D005740:Gases; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D012709:Serum Albumin; D005557:Formaldehyde; D007073:Immunoglobulin E