Allergy and parasites: the measurement of total and specific IgE levels in urban and rural communities in Rhodesia

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 in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inClinical allergy Vol. 6; no. 2; p. 131
Main Authors Merrett, T G, Merrett, J, Cookson, J B
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.03.1976
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Child
Dust
Female
Humans
Hypersensitivity - immunology
Immunoglobulin E - analysis
Middle Aged
Mitosporic Fungi - immunology
Parasitic Diseases - immunology
Pollen
Rural Population
Urban Population
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
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ISSN0009-9090
DOI10.1111/j.1365-2222.1976.tb01890.x

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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.
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ISSN:0009-9090
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2222.1976.tb01890.x