The importance of specific IgE antibodies in the epidemiology of allergic rhinitis and asthma (ECAP survey): part four. The relationship between the concentration of specific IgE antibodies in serum and types of asthma.

Introduction: Specific immunoglobulins E (sIgE) are important parameters for the estimation of severity of allergic diseases.
Aim: To determine the relationship between the concentration of specific IgE antibodies in serum and types of asthma.
Material and Methods: The concentration of sIgE antibodies against allergens Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus , cat dander, timothy grass, and Alternaria alternata were determined in the serum of 4077 respondents randomly selected from 8 regions (ECAP study). The positive results of sIgE (≥ 0.35 IU/ml or ≥ 0.7 IU/ml) were correlated to clinical diagnosis (types of asthma, skin-prick tests).
Results: sIgE antibodies against any allergen were detected in 9.9% (classes 1-6)/7.6% (classes 2-6) of healthy respondents. Comparing sIgE antibodies of respondents with intermittent asthma to sIgE antibodies of respondents with persistent asthma, no statistically significant differences were identified. Relating to allergens of D. pteronyssinus , cat dander, and A. alternata , sIgE antibodies were more frequently detected in respondents with atopic asthma and a negative skin-prick test as compared to healthy respondents with a negative skin-prick test ( p < 0.005 to p < 0.001). Relating to allergens of D. pteronyssinus , cat dander, and timothy grass, sIgE antibodies were more frequently detected in respondents with atopic asthma and a weakly positive skin-prick test as compared to healthy respondents with weakly positive skin-prick test ( p < 0.05 to p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Regarding subjects with a negative or weakly positive skin test, when sIgE antibodies to the same allergen are detected, asthma is much more likely to occur.
Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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