Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase Levels

BACKGROUND: In this paper we report on the link between increased tryptase levels and prevalence of allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) in patients with anaphylaxis. The main aim of the study was to assess the corelation between elevated tryptase levels and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) in anaphylactic reactions, mastocytosis, and other types of allergic reactions. MATERIAL/METHODS: We enrolled 60 adult patients, aged 18–68 years (mean age 45±8 years). The subjects were divided into 3 groups (20 patients in each group) according to the serum tryptase changes: group 1 consisted of patients with anaphylaxis (serum tryptase level ≥11.4 μg/l), group 2 consisted of patients with mastocytosis (serum tryptase level ≥20.0 μg/l), and group 3 consisted of patients with other allergic reactions with no anaphylaxis as an atopic control group (serum tryptase level <11.4 μg/l). The test material was venous blood serum samples. The allergen-specific IgE assay was carried out by immunoblot. Tryptase concentration was determined by immunoenzymatic assay. RESULTS: Allergen-specific IgE was found in 73% of all subjects: 75% in the anaphylactic group, 55% in the mastocytosis group, and 90% in the atopic control group. Polysensitization was common and was significantly different among groups. In the atopic group, there were more patients allergic to 4–7 allergens (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We did not find a strong correlation between allergen-specific IgE levels and elevated tryptase levels.