Prevalence and titer of IgE antibodies to mouse allergens.
BACKGROUND
Positive skin tests to allergens derived from mouse urine have been reported among patients with asthma. Very few data are available detailing the titer of IgE Ab to mouse allergen and how it varies by location and population.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate further the prevalence and titer of IgE Ab to mouse-derived allergens and their relevance to total IgE and asthma.


METHODS
IgE Ab to mouse allergens was measured in 1165 sera from diverse populations including children and adults. The results were compared with IgE Ab to other allergens and total serum IgE.


RESULTS
Positive results were found in 79 sera, but only 15 had an IgE Ab titer >or=10 IU/mL. Results for IgE Ab to Mus m 1 showed a close quantitative correlation with IgE Ab to mouse allergen (r = 0.93; P < .001). Cohorts in neither Atlanta nor Virginia contained sera in which IgE Ab to mouse was dominant over other allergens or contributed significantly to total IgE. By contrast, among 319 mothers from minority groups in Boston, 11 sera had >or=10 IU/mL. In these sera, specific IgE Ab to mouse made a significant contribution to the total.


CONCLUSIONS
Mouse allergen sensitization may contribute significantly to total IgE and allergy in African American and Hispanic populations from some northern cities. Analysis of the significance of an IgE Ab response should include quantitative comparison with other responses and total IgE.


CONCLUSIONS
Significance of rodent infestation and IgE Ab varies dramatically in different populations and areas of the United States.
Platts-Mills
Thomas A E
TA
Asthma and Allergic Diseases Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. tap2z@Virginia.edu
Satinover
Shama M
SM
Naccara
Lisa
L
Litonjua
Augusto A
AA
Phipatanakul
Wanda
W
Carter
Melody C
MC
Heymann
Peter W
PW
Woodfolk
Judith A
JA
Peters
Edward J
EJ
Gold
Diane R
DR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000652:urine; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012882:Skin Tests
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E