FACTORS INFLUENCING SERUM IGE VARIABILITY AND SECONDARY IGE DEFICIENCY

Abstract

<h3>Introduction</h3> Humoral immune abnormalities can be associated with primary immunodeficiencies or be secondary to other causes, such as metabolic disorders, malignancies, or use of immunosuppressive and other medications. We investigated factors which may specifically influence secondary IgE deficiency. <h3>Methods</h3> Retrospective cohort study at a single center of subjects who had an initial detectable serum IgE of any value with a subsequent undetectable serum IgE at later assessment (‘interval time'). Demographic, clinical, and outcome data was collected. <h3>Results</h3> 39965 subjects who had at least one serum IgE measurement over a 22 year period were analyzed; 50 subjects who an initial detectable serum IgE with an undetectable serum IgE after an interval time fulfilled inclusion criteria. Of these 50 subjects, 36 (72%) were female, with mean age 43 yo (range: 2-86 yo) at time of the absent serum IgE measurement, with a mean interval of 20 months (range: 1-109 months) between assessments. 8 of 50 subjects had an organ or bone marrow transplant during the interval time. New medications the subjects were taking at the time of the absent serum IgE measurement compared to the initial serum IgE included prednisone (20%), esomeprazole (20%), magnesium oxide (14%), and calcium supplements (14%). No subjects with undetectable IgE had been treated with anti B-cell biologics. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Serum IgE values can fluctuate over time, and can go from being present to undetectable in the serum. Various clinical conditions and immunosuppressive or other therapies could influence serum IgE values.