Extraordinarily high serum IgE levels and consequences for atopic phenotypes.
BACKGROUND
IgE plays a central role in allergic diseases. Recent studies have postulated an association between serum IgE levels and bronchial asthma.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the differences of atopic phenotypes in a group of individuals with extraordinarily high serum IgE levels (>10,000 kU/L) compared with children with moderately elevated IgE levels (400-1,000 kU/L).


METHODS
We investigated 20 children with serum IgE levels greater than 10,000 kU/L and compared them with 56 age-matched children with serum IgE levels of 400 to 1,000 kU/L regarding prevalences of atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, allergic sensitization, and history of anaphylaxis.


RESULTS
The mean eczema severity score as determined by the Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis Index was 56 vs 18 (P < 0.003), and anaphylactic reactions were reported in 20% of the group with very high serum IgE levels vs 7% in the group with moderate levels (P < 0.02). Sensitization to both aeroallergens and food allergens was detected in 80% of the group with very high serum IgE levels vs 32% of the group with moderate levels (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that children with very high serum IgE levels are at risk for anaphylactic reactions and more severe atopic dermatitis.
Laske
Nora
N
Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Immunology, Charité, Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany.
Bunikowski
Rita
R
Niggemann
Bodo
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E