[Behavior of immunoglobulin E in primary immunodeficiencies]

The complexity of IgE synthesis and regulation is expressed in the IgE serum levels of 81 patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases. IgE serum levels were often elevated in patients with partial cellular deficiency and also in some with predominantly antibody defect, as isolated IgA and IgM deficiency. The lowest levels were found in the wider spectrum immunodeficiencies, such as the X-linked agammaglobulinemia and severe combined immunodeficiency. Due to the heterogeneity and variability of the immunological defects, even in these well defined immunodeficiency diseases, it is very difficult to establish a typical feature of IgE serum levels in these conditions.