title: SERUM IMMUNOGLOBULIN IgE IN A PEDIATRIC POPULATION: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS.
abstract: Allergic sensitization is mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE) and an increase of their total value is frequently used to complete a correct diagnosis of atopy. Serum IgE may be considered a typical biomarker for the allergic phenotype. The aim of this study was to evaluate total serum IgE, according to sensitizations and to find a cut off to discriminate between atopic and non-atopic subjects. Seven hundred and ninety-five patients were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of total IgE were measured by a fluorescence immunoassay (ImmunoCAP; ThermoFisher, Uppsala, Sweden) while specific IgE levels were measured by immunofluorometric assay (ImmunoCAP; ThermoFisher, Uppsala, Sweden). Both tests were expressed in kU/L, according to manufacturers instructions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A difference for total IgE, according to the gender, has been found (p = 0,0012 ) with higher values for males than for females. A correlation has been found between total IgE and specific IgE, even distinguishing the population in sensitized and non-sensitized. A statistically significant difference has been found according to the presence or the absence of sensitization (p less than 0.0001) and also considering mono-sensitized and polysensitized patients (p less than 0.0001). ROC analysis has been performed to define a cut off for total serum IgE, according to sensitization and to the type of sensitization (mono-sensitization or poly-sensitization). Finally multiple regression models have been performed to describe total IgE response (positive or negative) and to predict total IgE values. Since clinical limitations are well known, total IgE provide a useful aid to define atopy, allowing the clinician to carry out further investigations in patients with total IgE values beyond normal limits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Foundation IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Amici
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Foundation IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marseglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Foundation IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Licari
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Foundation IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caimmi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Foundation IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nigrisoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Foundation IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Torre
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Foundation IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Testa
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Foundation IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Marseglia