[Evaluation of atopy by antigen specific IGE antibody].
BACKGROUND
Atopy is usually defined as the genetic propensity to produce IgE antibodies (Abs) specific to common environmental allergens. The aim of this study was to evaluate impacts of the number of allergens examined on prevalence of atopy.


METHODS
Subjects comprised 116 healthy controls, 104 patients with asthma, 294 patients with COPD, 64 patients with sarcoidosis and 218 residents of Kamishihoro town. Total serum immunoglobulin E and antigen-specific IgE antibody levels for 26 common allergens were examined. Atopy was defined as positive IgE Abs specific to > or =1 allergen. We serially increased the number of allergens to define atopy from the most common allergens in order of frequency, and changes in prevalence of atopy were evaluated. In residents of Kamishihoro, betula pollen antigen was also examined, as this antigen is very common in the town.


RESULTS
The increasing prevalence of atopy was dramatically reduced relative to the number of allergens examined. Among residents of Kamishihoro town, 5 cases displayed specific IgE Abs to this allergen alone and prevalence of atopy was increased 2.3 percents.


CONCLUSIONS
When atopy was defined as the production of specific IgE Abs to common allergens, roughly 10 of the most common allergens may cover common environmental allergens.
First Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Hokkaido University.
Takeshi
T
Hattori
Satoshi
S
Konno
Kaoruko
K
Shimizu
Kenichi
K
Shimizu
Akira
A
Isada
Ayumu
A
Takahashi
Yukiko
Y
Maeda
Hironi
H
Makita
Ken
K
Sawazaki
Nobuyuki
N
Hizawa
Masaharu
M
Nishimura
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000276:immunology; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000276:immunology; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens; D015415:Biomarkers; D000939:Epitopes; D007073:Immunoglobulin E