Anti-Staphylococcus aureus IgE antibodies for diagnosis of hyperimmunoglobulinemia E-recurrent infection syndrome in infancy.

Four infants with hyperimmunoglobulinemia E presented with a persistent papulovesicular rash and eosinophilia. Serum IgE levels and specific anti-Staphylococcus aureus IgE antibodies were studied during the first year of life. Increased anti-S aureus IgE antibodies were an early indicator of the disease; they appeared as soon as 7 weeks of age in patient 1 and before 1 year of age for the other patients. These antibodies were detected before the development of deeper staphylococcal infections. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are important, as they may prevent long-term infectious complications.