TOTAL AND SPECIFIC IGG4 ANTIBODY-LEVELS IN ATOPIC ECZEMA

Abstract

Total IgG4 and IgG4 antibody levels specific for 10 allergens (3 inhaled and 7 ingested) were measured by radioimmunoassay of sera taken from 3 groups of adult patients; 32 cases of atopic eczema; 28 cases of respiratory allergy; and 156 normal volunteers., In all 3 groups IgG4 antibody activity was mainly directed against common foods, and generally the group with atopic eczema had higher total and specific IgG4 levels than the cases of respiratory allergy, who in turn had higher titers than the normal group. There was within each group a tendency for men to have more total IgG4 than women and the difference was statistically significant among the normals. There was evidence of an IgG4 restricted response in atopic eczema because despite the group''s elevated total IgG4 its total IgG4 remained within normal limits. Specific IgG4 was correlated with the corresponding specific IgE level in 5 of the 10 allergens examined. The results are generally consistent with the view that IgG4 levels are raised in cases of atopic eczema due to prolonged exposure to an allergen which initiated an IgE response.