The significance of serum IgE levels in Trinidad and Tobago - abstract

ABSTRACT

In Trinidad, normal non-atopic children, mean age 2.5 years, had serum IgE's of 133 Ku/l whereas in the northern hemisphere the corresponding value for 9-month to 3-year-old children is 33 Ku/1 and the adult mean is 100 Ku/1. However, childhood asthmatics with helminthic infestation had a mean serum IgE of 1,432 Ku/l. On the other hand, childhood asthmatics whose stools were negative for helminths had significantly (840 Ku/l) less serum IgE, confirming the additive effect of helminths upon the type I hypersensitivity response in children. Those children who were diagnosed as having atopic dermatitis had the highest mean serum IgE concentrations (1,892 Ku/l). Blood Donors had a mean serum IgE of 231 Ku/l. It is concluded that serum IgE is of significant importance in identifying the atopic state, even in countries with endemic helminthic infestation. However, local normal and abnormal ranges need to be established before the results can be correctly interpreted (AU)