Local and serum IgE in vasomotor rhinitis

Total and specific IgE in serum and nasal secretions were measured in twenty five subjects with vasomotor rhinitis without asthma (21 perennial vasomotor allergic rhinitis and 4 seasonal vasomotor allergic rhinitis) after Carbacholine nasal challenge-test. The level of total and specific IgE was lower in the pure, non diluted nasal secretions than in the serum. The diagnostic usefullness of these measurements and the concept of "localized allergy" are discussed.