Correlation between the adverse reactions to intravenous iodinated contrast media and IgE levels

The adverse reactions of the iodinated contrast media are believed to be non-IgE mediated and the result of triggering of the release of the mast cell mediators directly. However, the exact mechanism is still controversial and purpose of this prospective study is not only to determine any possible correlation of adverse reactions with total baseline blood IgE levels, but also to investigate the change of the IgE levels in the blood after the administration of the IV iodinated contrast media and correlate this with the various side effects.

Blood samples were taken from 110 patients who underwent excretory urography just before the administration of the iodinated contrast media and on the 40th minute. Further blood samples were collected from 13 randomly selected patients out of the total 110, a week after the examinations. Total IgE levels were calculated in all samples using electrochemiluminescense immunoassay method.

IgE levels decreased statistically significantly using paired t test in all patients but one. The side effects were independent from the total baseline IgE levels according to the chi-square testing.

Results reveal that the measurement of the total baseline IgE levels can not be a prognostic factor for the adverse reactions to iodinated contrast media but the more a factor causes immuneglobuline to decrease after administration of iodinated contrast media, the less adverse reactions happen. Electrochemiluminescense immunoassay method ought to be scrutinized for the detection of IgE binded with iodinated contrast media.