Double filtration plasmapheresis enhances neutrophil chemotactic responses in hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome

The patient, a 32-year-old male, was diagnosed as having hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome and was subsequently treated with double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP). The patient showed a defective chemotaxis with reference to polymorphonuclear leukocytes and the presence of chemotactic inhibitor in his serum. By the fifth treatment with DFPP, chemotactic responses had improved, and there was no further evidence of chemotactic inhibitor in his serum. These findings suggest that the patient's chemotactic responses improved as a result of the removal or decrease in chemotactic inhibitor in his serum upon treatment with DFPP. Accordingly DFPP may be an effective treatment for hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome.