IgE antibodies to Staphylococcus aureus in the hypereosinophilic syndrome

A 16-year old boy with a 10-year history of circulating eosinophilia was diagnosed having the hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) based upon the exclusion of other disorders. Eight years after the onset of his condition, he had a subcutaneous staphylococcal abscess followed by lymphangitis, rare clinical features of HES. As measured by radioallergosorbent techniques, there were significantly high serum levels of IgE antibodies to Staphylococcus aureus. The clinical significance of these antibodies is unknown, but their production may be due to persistent antigenic stimulation.