Relationship between IgE and specific aeroallergen sensitivity in Alaskan native children.
BACKGROUND
The relationship between atopic disease and serum IgE levels varies among populations and geographic regions. The close association of atopy with IgE may not occur in subarctic populations as it does in developed countries in temperate climates.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationship between total and specific IgE concentrations and clinical atopy in 5- to 8-year-old Alaskan native children.


METHODS
Medical record reviews, interviews, physical examinations, serum IgE measurements, and radioallergosorbent testing (RAST) were performed.


RESULTS
The IgE geometric mean was 122.1 IU/mL. Fifty-eight percent of patients had IgE levels greater than 70 IU/mL, and 17% had levels greater than 1,000 IU/mL; 14% had RAST values greater than 0.35 kU/L. Both IgE levels greater than 70 IU/mL and greater than 1,000 IU/mL were associated with RAST values greater than 0.35 IU/L (P = .004) and early wheezing (P = .005) but not with current wheezing, asthma, eczema, or a history of allergies. A RAST value greater than 3.51 kU/L was associated with eczema (P = .04) but not with allergies or wheezing. Children with current wheezing were more likely to have allergies (P = .03) but not eczema, an IgE level greater than 70 IU/mL, or a positive RAST value. Children hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were not more likely than controls to have current wheezing.


CONCLUSIONS
Elevated serum IgE concentrations, including levels greater than 1,000 IU/mL, are common among Alaskan native children; positive RAST reactions to aeroallergens are not. The IgE levels do not relate to wheezing, eczema, a history of allergies, or past hospitalization for RSV infection but likely reflect infections other than RSV and environmental factors in subarctic indigenous populations.
Redding
Gregory J
GJ
Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, USA. greg.redding@seattlechildrens.org
Singleton
Rosalyn J
RJ
DeMain
Jeffrey
J
Bulkow
Lisa R
LR
Martinez
Patricia
P
Lewis
Toby C
TC
Zanis
Carolyn
C
Butler
Jay C
JC
D000413:Alaska; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D015995:Prevalence; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E