It is well known that allergen-specific IgE antibodies play an important role in nasal allergy, but the role of specific IgG antibodies is also important. Specific IgG antibody is determined by radioimmunoassay and various other methods. Different antisera are used in different institutions, and the results vary somewhat from one institution to another.
The DP (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus)-specific IgG assay kit put on the market by Shionogi Co., Ltd. uses the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) system, antigen recognizing specific antibody IgE and monoclonal anti-IgG antibody. This kit is a promising diagnostic agent which minimizes variations in data among institutions. We used it to test.
Patients with nasal allergy who showed positive skin reactions to house dust (HD). One hundred and twenty-one patients showed a variety of RAST scores, and 17 patients were being hyposensitized with HD.
The titer of specific IgG antibody to DP was higher in the younger patients (under the age of 19 years) and lower in patients aged 20 years or older and increased with increasing DP IgE RAST scores.
The significance of the titer of DP-specific IgG antibody is discussed.