Correlations between allergen-specific IgE serum levels in patients with allergic conjunctivitis in spring

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relation between various specific class E immunoglobulins (IgE) in serum and allergic conjunctivitis in spring. METHODS: Forty patients with allergic conjunctivitis and fifty healthy volunteers were selected for this trial. Total IgE and specific IgE to twelve inhalant allergens were measured using the CAP system. RESULTS: Specific IgE levels caused by cedar and cypress pollen, house dust, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, acarus, and moth allergens were higher in the allergy group than in the control group. No correlation was proven between the specific IgE levels and the total IgE level. The highest positivity rate for a specific allergen in patients with allergic conjunctivitis was 52.5% for cedar pollen, followed by cypress pollen at 37.5%. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that cypress pollen was the largest cause of allergic conjunctivitis and that the total IgE level had no correlation with each specific IgE.