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Anaphylaxis inhibitory factor: clinical evaluation in pediatric patients
M I Astorquiza1, M Calvo, M Valdés
1Institute of Immunology, School of Medicine, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia.
Summary
A novel inhibitory factor in human serum can suppress allergic reactions. Its absence is linked to allergy and positive skin tests in children, suggesting it regulates IgE expression.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatric Allergy
Background:
- A factor inhibiting passive cutaneous anaphylactic reactions (PCA) has been identified in mice.
- This study investigates a similar factor in human sera, focusing on pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the laboratory and clinical significance of a PCA inhibitory factor in pediatric patients.
- To determine the relationship between this factor, allergic status, and skin test results.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory analysis of human sera for the presence of the PCA inhibitory factor.
- Clinical evaluation in pediatric patients, correlating factor presence with allergy and skin test results.
Main Results:
- A low percentage (7.7%) of allergic pediatric patients exhibited the inhibitory factor and positive skin tests.
- A high percentage (70%) of nonallergic patients showed the factor and negative skin tests.
- Absence of the factor strongly correlated with allergy (p < 0.001) and positive skin tests (p < 0.01), but not total IgE.
Conclusions:
- The PCA inhibitory factor appears to modulate IgE expression rather than synthesis.
- Its absence permits IgE expression in allergic individuals with positive skin tests.
- This factor may serve as a valuable biomarker in the clinical study of pediatric allergy.