Allergen skin test reactivity and asthma are inversely associated with ratios of IgG4/IgE and total IgE/allergen-specific IgE in Ugandan communities.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Serum inhibition of allergen-specific IgE has been associated with competing IgG4 and non-specific polyclonal IgE. In allergen immunotherapy, beneficial responses have been associated with high IgG4/IgE ratios. Helminths potentiate antibody class switching to IgG4 and stimulate polyclonal IgE synthesis; therefore, we hypothesized a role for helminth-associated IgG4 and total IgE in protection against atopic sensitization and clinical allergy (asthma) in tropical low-income countries.

Methods

Among community residents of Ugandan rural Schistosoma mansoni (Sm)-endemic islands and a mainland urban setting with lower helminth exposure, and among urban asthmatic schoolchildren and non-asthmatic controls, we measured total, Schistosoma adult worm antigen (SWA)-specific,

SUBMITTER: Nkurunungi G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7610822 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature