Measurement of antigen-specific antibodies in human serum and saliva by multiple antigen simultaneous test

Abstract

Expression of antigen-specific serum IgE and IgA, and saliva IgA were measured in four volunteers using a Multiple Antigen Simultaneous Test (MAST). Two donors, expressing allergen-specific IgE in serum, expressed antigen-specific serum IgA strongly, but saliva IgA weakly. The other two donors, not expressing serum IgE, expressed serum IgA weakly and saliva IgA strongly. These results suggest a possibility that secretory IgA plays an important role in the prevention of food allergy. To clarify the role of IgA, further investigation on allergic patients is necessary.