RAST-specific IgE to egg and milk in Nigerian asthmatic patients

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Allergy and Immunology
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Food allergens are understudied in Northern Nigeria.
• The role of specific antibodies to food allergens in asthma aetiology is unclear.
• This study focuses on milk and egg as common dietary items.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the role of milk and egg in asthma aetiology in Zaria, Nigeria.
• To determine the significance of specific IgE antibodies and skin prick tests in asthmatic patients.
• To measure total serum IgA, IgE, and secretory IgA levels in patients and controls.

Main Methods:

• Radioallergosorbent test (RAST)-specific IgE to milk and egg.
• Skin prick tests in asthma patients and controls.
• Measurement of total serum IgA, IgE, and secretory IgA.

Main Results:

• RAST titres showed poor discrimination between asthmatic patients and controls.
• Six patients reported gastrointestinal symptoms after egg ingestion.
• Asthmatic patients had significantly higher mean serum secretory IgA and total IgA levels compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• RAST titres for milk and egg were not fully discriminatory in Nigerian asthmatics.
• Provocation tests are recommended to confirm food-induced asthma in Nigerians.
• Further research into other food allergens may be warranted.