Abstract
Specific IgE and IgG antibodies and basophil response to Candida albicans were examined in 115 patients with bronchial asthma and compared to responses to house dust antigen.
1. The incidence of patients with specific IgE antibodies to Candida albicans was highest in cases aged between 41 and 50 years, and high in cases aged between 31 and 40 years and between 51 and 60 years. The incidence was also high in cases with the age at onset of the disease between 21 and 30 years and between 41 and 50 years, and in cases with serum IgE levels between 101 and 200IU/ml and more than 1001IU/ml. On the other hand, specific IgE antibodies to house dust were more frequently observed with younger patient age and age at onset of the disease, and higher serum IgE levels.
2. The concentrations of specific IgG antibodies to Candida albicans increased as patient age was higher.
3. A ratio of histamine release induced by Candida against anti-IgE-induced release was lower in cases aged between 0 and 40 years, and higher in cases aged between 41 and 50 years, while the ratio of housedust-induced release against the release by anti-IgE was lower as patient age became greater.
