[IgE deficiency: a forgotten disease?]. / Deficiencia de IgE: un padecimiento olvidado?

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Selective IgE deficiency is a profound deficiency (< 5 UI/mL) or absence of serum IgE levels without other immunologic abnormalities. It is usually asymptomatic, but may be associated with recurrent respiratory infections, chronic fatigue, and musculoskeletal complaints. OBJECTIVE: To describe the evolution and treatment in patients with selective IgE deficiency. PATIENTS AND METHOD: In selective IgE's deficiency patients identification note, atopy history, concurrent diseases, clinic of allergic diseases, Prick test and prior response to treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: Eleven patients were included, five women and six men within 16 months to 10 years old. The patients had serum IgE levels < 5 UI with other immunoglobulins and sub-classes in normal levels; except a patient with concomitant IgA and IgE deficiency. The treatment administered was since prophylactic antibiotic to intravenous gammaglobulin. DISCUSSION: We established the diagnosis of selective IgE deficiency in patient with serum IgE levels < 5 UI/mL associated with recurrent respiratory infections. CONCLUSIONS: We need more clinic studies to document with precision the selective IgE deficiency.