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Limited role of allergy testing in patients with eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders
Author(s) -
Ishimura Norihisa,
Furuta Kenji,
Sato Shuichi,
Ishihara Shunji,
Kinoshita Yoshikazu
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/jgh.12197
Subject(s) - medicine , eosinophilic esophagitis , immunology , immunoglobulin e , allergy , antigen , allergen , aeroallergen , immunoassay , antibody , disease
Abstract Background and Aim Allergies have been implicated in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders, although it remains unknown what type of allergen is closely associated with their development. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible involvement of food and/or aeroallergen factors in eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders. Methods Eighteen patients with eosinophilic esophagitis ( EoE ), 23 with eosinophilic gastroenteritis ( EGE ), and 28 healthy volunteers were enrolled. The levels of total serum immunoglobulin E ( IgE ) and 33 different allergen‐specific IgE antibodies, including those for six foods used in a standard EoE elimination diet, were determined in each subject. Serum antigen‐specific IgE levels were measured using a chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay with a multiple antigen simultaneous test 33 ( MAST 33). The expression patterns of specific antigens were compared among the groups. Results The mean level of total IgE antibodies was significantly higher in patients with EGE (553.6 ± 115.3 IU / mL ) than the healthy volunteers (230.6 ± 87.1 IU / mL ). Two thirds of all subjects had sensitivity to at least one inhaled antigen. In positive cases, allergies against multiple antigens were more frequently seen in the EoE and EGE patients. Japanese cedar and dust mite aeroallergens were more prevalent than food antigens. Conclusions Consistent with higher levels of serum total IgE antibodies, patients with EoE and EGE were frequently sensitized to several different allergens. Reactions to aeroallergens were more prevalent in these groups, although no particular antigen causing EoE and/or EGE was detected by measuring serum antigen‐specific IgE antibodies.