IgE studies on respiratory tract allergies.

The IgE content was determined and specific IgE antibodies were identified in serum samples and nasal secretions of 40 control subjects, 103 patients with nasal allergy, and 37 patients with bronchial asthma using a radioimmunosorbent test an both the serum samples and nasal secretions of allergic patients. Approximately 70% of the serum samples and nasal secretions obtained from patients with positive house dust skin test results were found to contain specific IgE antibodies to mites. The results of this study proved the usefulness of the determination of IgE and specific IgE antibodies in the diagnosis and study of the pathogenesis of respiratory tract allergies. The IgE in nasal secretions was much more closely related to pathogenesis of respiratory allergies than was IgE in serum samples. However, unless more concentrated nasal secretions are assayed, the diagnostic value is limited.