Immunoglobulin E in Nigerian onchocerciasis

Total serum IgE was measured by radioimmunoassay in 58 adult Nigerian patients with untreated onchocerciasis. Levels in excess of 244.9 IU/ml, the mean level of the healthy Nigerian control subjects tested, were found in 86% of the patients. The levels were comparable to IgE levels found in 15 atopic Nigerian patients from the same residential area (mean = 1,028.7 IU/ml). The findings suggest that onchocerciasis, like allergy, is one of the causes of elevated total serum IgE, though normal levels may occur in this disease.