Lofarma SpA

A new method is described for the quant. detection of IgE antibodies, based on IgE capture with a specific antibody, reaction with liquid-biotinylated allergens and biotinylated anti-IgE and immunoenzymic development of the reaction (reverse enzyme allergosorbent test).Using a reference system based on the World Health Organization IgE International standard, this method determines total IgE in the range 2-100 kU/L and specific IgE in the range 0.2-100 kU/L, from which the specific/total ratio, called 'specific IgE d.', can be calculatedThis procedure has been applied to the study of specific IgE in 23 sera from patients polysensitized to pollen and mite allergens: 11 with asthma and 12 with rhinitis.The sensitivity and reproducibility of the method were evaluated.Sera from asthmatic patients showed higher cumulative levels of specific IgE (mean d. 57.7%) than sera from rhinitic patients (mean d. 32.6%).The clin. significance of specific IgE d. in patients with multiple sensitizations is discussed.