Immunoglobulin E levels and anticollagen antibodies in patients with postburn hypertrophic scars

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and eosinophil counts were measured in 18 former patients with burn injuries attending an outpatient clinic for hypertrophic scarring. In 15 of these 18 former patients with burns, IgG anticollagen antibodies were also measured. Earlier reports in the literature have suggested that a local immune reaction against collagen might play a role in enhancing inflammation, thereby increasing scar formation. In addition, we have previously reported an increase in allergic symptoms in patients with keloids and hypertrophic scars. Antibodies to the following collagen types were measured: human type I, human type III, bovine type I, and bovine type III. IgG anticollagen antibody levels were correlated with percentage third-degree burn, number of weeks after burn injury, and the patient's age. An increase in percentage third-degree burn and in number of weeks after burn injury was statistically significantly associated with an increase in serum anticollagen antibody level. Six of the 18 patients had higher than normal IgE levels (p value = 0.0002).