Serum allergen specific immunoglobulin E levels in patients with allergic conjunctivitis

PURPOSE. To evaluate serum allergen specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in patients with various types of allergic conjunctivitis. METHODS. Twenty-five patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC), 17 patients with perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC), and 10 patients with vernal conjunctivitis, (VC) were included in the study. Specific IgE levels to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp), Dermatophagoides farinae (Df), mixed grass pollens, and animal epithelia were measured using Pharmacia CAP system (Pharmacia Diagnostic AB, Uppsala, Sweden). RESULTS. The percentage of subjects with specific IgE against Dp and,Df was statistically higher in VC (30%) compared to PAC (5.9%) and SAC (0%) (p=0.03). Specific IgE against mixed grass pollens was found in 30% of VC and 40% of SAC, whereas: 10% of VC and 8% of SAC patients were found to be hypersensitive to animal epithelia. CONCLUSIONS. Allergic reaction against house dust mites and pollens was common in VC, whereas specific IgE against grass pollens was remarkable in SAC. IgE levels specific to various antigens might be measured by UNICAP system, which is a rapid and practical technology. (Eur J Ophthalmol 2008; 18: 675-9)