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Allergy and parasites: the measurement of total and specific IgE levels in urban and rural communities in Rhodesia
Author(s) -
MERRETT T. G.,
MERRETT J.,
COOKSON J. B.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1976.tb01890.x
Subject(s) - immunoglobulin e , immunology , allergy , environmental health , geography , medicine , biology , antibody
Summary Eighty adult asthmatics living in an African city had a significantly higher serum IgE level (799 u/ml) than the control group (350 u/ml). A high proportion (78·7%) of the asthmatics had demonstrable circulating mite‐specific IgE antibodies. The rural population of a filariasis endemic region was investigated and although no allergic subjects were identified, the group had a significantly higher IgE level (1613 u/ml) than the asthmatics and also showed a relatively high incidence of grass pollen‐specific IgE antibodies (35%). The discrepancy between clinical history and laboratory results supports the mast cell saturation hypothesis and suggests: (a) an explanation for the susceptibility to allergy of African and Asian immigrants to Great Britain, and (b) a practical approach for preventing allergic reactions in vivo.