Serum polyclonal and specific immunoglobulin E levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis -

Abstract

Both IgE-mediated allergy and autoimmune diseases are thought to have similar causes; environmental factors that provoke the disease and predisposing genetic factors. Previous reports indicate that in some autoimmune diseases elevated polyclonal IgE levels were detected. Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) were included in this study. Their serum polyclonal IgE levels were determined by ELISA and attempts were made to detect allergen specific IgE antibodies using specific IgE Mediterranean allergen kit. The aim of this investigation was to see if there was a correlation between serum polyclonal IgE, specific IgE levels and RA or SLE. The results indicated that serum polyclonal IgE levels were not significantly different when levels in RA patients were compared to controls. Whereas the specific IgE levels detected against Mugwort Pollen, Alt. alternata, plantain pollen, Dog epithelia, Aspergillus fumigates were positively correlated with RA, and specific IgE levels against Timothy Grass pollen and D. pteronyssinus were positively correlated with SLE. Conclusions that are suggested are based on a relatively small number of subjects included in the study. More patients must be studied in order to make concrete conclusions.