Study of Total and Allergen Specific IgE and Salivary IgA, As Well As Leukocyte Populations in Atopic and Non-Atopic Children with Asthma and / or Rhinitis

Abstract

RATIONALE: To perform an immunologically investigation in children with and without atopy to Der pt sensitization, in search of evidences to better understand the immune imbalance suffered by the allergic children. METHODS: We studied 47 children of both sexes, aged between 6 and 15 years, who were attended for respiratory diseases at the Allergy and Immunology Division, Hospital de Niños, C ordoba city. According with clinical history, and Prick tests they were divided into two groups: Atopics (A) (n 525) and non-atopic(NA)(n 522). Samples of blood and saliva were taken to determine immune globulins concentrations and specific activities.The protocol was approved by a local ethics committee. RESULTS: The total serum IgE levels and the blood eosinophils % were significantly higher in (A) compared to (NA) children. The study of specific serum IgE for Der pt only showed positive results in the A group, and a significant correlation was found between the levels of total and specific IgE. Serum IgG and IgA levels showed no significant differences between both groups. Total salivary IgA concentrations were significantly higher in the group of NA children than in the group of A patients. Surprisingly, the specific salivary IgA for Der pt presented the opposite observation: Atopic patients have nearly twice specific salivary IgA for Der pt than the NA children. CONCLUSIONS: Among all the investigated parameters, the only significant differences found between A and NA children were related to the values of total and specific salivary IgA to the allergen.