The discovery of immunoglobulin E.
As early as 1919, from a case of transient asthma caused by blood transfusion, the presence in serum of a factor causing allergy was proposed. Despite intense search, this factor was not identified until 1968, when immunoglobulin E (IgE) was officially recognized by the World Health Organization. The knowledge about IgE mediating allergy has greatly improved our understanding of allergic inflammation and diagnoses and treatment of allergic diseases.
Johansson
S G O
SG
Department of Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Allergy Unit, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. s.g.o.johansson@ki.se
D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D007073:Immunoglobulin E