title: The assay of interleukin 4 in the serum of normal subjects and atopic patients using a novel immunoassay.
abstract: Interleukin 4 (IL-4) was measured in the serum of normals and mild atopic patients using a high sensitivity ELISA system involving an amplification stage. The method was found to have a limit of detection of 0.02 pg/ml after a square root transformation of the concentration data and to show good reproducibility with coefficients of variation between 11 and 14%. Recoveries of standard IL-4 from serum was greater than 90%. Markedly elevated levels of IL-4 were seen in the atopic groups compared with the normals. No association was found between total white cell counts, lymphocyte or eosinophil counts and serum IL-4 levels. This study demonstrates that serum IL-4 levels can distinguish between atopic subjects and normals, even in mild or symptomless disease. This may prove valuable in the management of atopic disorders.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rolf
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whatley
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012016:Reference Values; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D015847:Interleukin-4