Immunoglobulin E (IgE)

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Is one of the 5 classes of immunoglobulins (antibodies) produced by the human immune system. Normal concentrations of IgE in the body are extremely low (less than 0,001% of total immunoglobulin).

IgE plays an important role in allergic reactions in the body. IgE has a similar structure to other immunoglobulins, consisting of 2 light and 2 heavy chains. The heavy chain of each IgE molecule contains a variable region that is responsible for antigen-specificity, therefore each type of IgE antibody is specific for a specific allergen and responds only to it.

Most serum IgE molecules are attached to the surface of porous cells and basophilic granulocytes. The interaction of specific allergens with specific IgE on the surface of these cells causes the release of histamine and other vasoactive substances, thus initiating an allergic reaction.

If you have an allergy, if you come in contact with an allergen, your immune system will produce large amounts of IgE antibodies. They, in turn, activate a large number of immune cells, the action of which causes the manifestations of allergic reactions - nausea, shortness of breath, rash, edema.

About half of people with allergic rhinitis or asthma have elevated IgE levels; Others, although they have high concentrations of allergen-specific IgE, have normal levels of total IgE. Studies have shown that total IgE levels are often elevated in patients with atopic dermatitis, and its levels are usually correlated with the severity of eczema.

IgE concentrations are also increased in patients with parasitic infections, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and certain types of immunodeficiency (Jobs syndrome).

When should we test for immunoglobulin E (IgE)? 

• Allergy;
• Primary immunodeficiency conditions;
• Infections;
• Malignant diseases;
• Other inflammatory diseases.

IgE antibody testing is necessary if you have the following symptoms of an allergic disease:

• Constantly closed nose;
• Persistent discharge from the nose (watery secretion);
• Itching and simple irritation of the eyes with discharge;
• Rash with convex red spots;
• Diarrhea;
• Vomiting;
• ერის Air shortage;
• Cough;
• Whistling breathing murmurs in the chest area.

How to prepare for the test?

The test should be performed on an empty stomach.

Research material

Venous blood

Possible interpretation of the results

Immunoglobulin E concentration increases:

• Bronchial asthma;
• Hay fever;
• Atopic dermatitis;
• Parasitosis;
• Jobs syndrome;
• IgE myeloma.

The presence of large amounts of IgE antibodies in the body that are directed against a specific allergen indicates that you are very sensitive to this allergen. This means that large amounts of IgE antibodies bind to your immune cells when they meet the allergen, and the allergic reaction develops rapidly and acutely. But this is not always the case. Occasionally when exposed to an allergen, large amounts of IgE antibodies are produced in the body, but they do not bind properly to the immune cells or the immune cells themselves do not have enough space to bind to these types of antibodies.

In addition, a negative result or low levels of IgE antibodies absolutely do not rule out the patient's allergy.

Immunoglobulin E concentration decreases:

• Congenital or acquired immunodeficiency;
• Ataxia-teleangiectasia;
• Non-IgE myeloma.

Resources

https://www.synevo.ro/shop/imunoglobulina-ige/
https://www.synevo.bg/ige/