Related Experiment Videos
Human antibodies to bovine alpha-globulin
International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology
|January 1, 1975
Summary
Antibodies to bovine gamma-globulin (anti-BGG) can cause falsely high IgE levels in allergy tests. Using rabbit anti-IgE antiserum instead of sheep anti-IgE corrects these inaccurate radio-immunosorbent test (RIST) and radio-allergosorbent test (RAST) results.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergy diagnostics
Background:
- Antibodies to bovine gamma-globulin (anti-BGG) are common in healthy individuals.
- Elevated anti-BGG antibody concentrations are observed in patients with IgA deficiency.
- These antibodies can interfere with specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) measurements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of anti-BGG antibodies on IgE level determination.
- To identify the cause of falsely elevated IgE values in radio-immunosorbent assays.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of different antisera in correcting these false results.
Main Methods:
- Radio-immunoassay (RIA) for anti-BGG antibody detection.
- Radio-immunosorbent test (RIST) for total IgE determination.
- Radio-allergosorbent test (RAST) for specific IgE determination using sheep or rabbit anti-IgE antiserum.
Main Results:
- Anti-BGG antibodies were detected in 70% of healthy blood donors, typically at low titres.
- Significantly higher anti-BGG antibody concentrations were found in patients lacking IgA.
- Falsely elevated IgE values and positive RAST results were observed when using sheep anti-IgE, but not with rabbit anti-IgE.
Conclusions:
- Anti-BGG antibodies can cause false-positive IgE results in RIST and RAST assays.
- The cross-reactivity between anti-BGG antibodies and sheep alpha-globulin explains the interference.
- Using rabbit anti-IgE antiserum effectively prevents these false results, ensuring accurate IgE measurements.