Value of immunoglobulin E density in predicting nasal and bronchial response to inhaled allergens in rhinitic and asthmatic subjects with multiple sensitizations.
BACKGROUND
In atopic subjects with multiple sensitizations to inhalant allergens the relationship between the specific serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E and the in vivo response to each allergen is not well established.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between the specific serum IgE expressed as amount (kU/L) or density (specific IgE/total IgE percentage) with the in vivo response to inhaled allergens in rhinitic and asthmatic subjects with multiple sensitization.


METHODS
By means of Reverse Enzyme AllergoSorbent Test (REAST) the absolute values and the density of specific IgE for each sensitizing allergen was determined. Rhinitics (n = 12) underwent nasal and asthmatics (n = 11) bronchial allergen challenges with the two to three sensitizing allergens for a total of 33 nasal and 32 bronchial challenges. Correlations and degree of concordance between specific serum IgE and results of challenges were calculated.


RESULTS
IgE density significantly correlated with nasal challenge score (rs = 0.72, P < 0.001), bronchial challenge score (rs = 0.56, P < 0.001) and late asthmatic response (rp = 0.53, P < 0.005). Among subjects with three sensitizations, comparison of values of IgE density with the results of challenges showed significant concordance in graduation (chi2 = 11.3, P < 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
In subjects with multiple sensitizations, the nasal and bronchial response to the different sensitizing allergens may be predicted, at least in part, by the IgE density. A satisfactory agreement between graduation of the IgE density to the different allergens and the in vivo response to the same allergens has been found within subject.
Crimi
E
E
Cattedra di Fisiopatologia Respiratoria, Dipartimento di Scienze Motorie e Riabilitative, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy.
Voltolini
S
S
Minale
P
P
Falagiani
P
P
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000276:immunology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose / Q000276:immunology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test / Q000379:methods; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000276:immunology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D007073:Immunoglobulin E