Relationship between total and allergen-specific IgE serum levels and presence of symptoms in farm workers sensitized to Tetranychus urticae.
BACKGROUND
Clinical complaints in atopic subjects with asthma and rhinitis occur more frequently in the presence of high total and allergen-specific IgE serum levels. Here we report on the relationship between total and allergen-specific IgE serum levels and presence of symptoms in an unselected farmer population sensitized to Tetranychus urticae (TU).


METHODS
Farmers were recruited as previously described. Total IgE and allergen-specific IgE were measured by immunoassay in TU-positive skin prick test (SPT) farmers (n = 58) and two control groups including Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp)-positive SPT subjects (n = 40) and non-atopic, TU-negative SPT healthy farmers (n = 25).


RESULTS
Both TU+ and Dp+ subjects had significantly higher total IgE values (P < 0.001) than healthy non-atopic subjects. TU-specific IgE levels were significantly more elevated in symptomatic than non-symptomatic TU+ subjects (P = 0.028). Dp-specific IgE levels were higher in symptomatic than non-symptomatic Dp+ subjects (P = 0.003). Finally, total IgE levels were significantly higher in the symptomatic than non-symptomatic subgroups in both TU+ and Dp+ subjects (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.007, respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed that only total IgE concentrations were significant predictors of current symptoms in TU+ subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
High total IgE and allergen-specific IgE levels are associated with symptoms in TU+ subjects. Definition of their predictive value requires further studies.
D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D000485:Allergens / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012882:Skin Tests; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D040102:Tetranychidae / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D000939:Epitopes; D007073:Immunoglobulin E