Abstract
Atopic diseases has been increasing in its incidence year by year in Japan. Atopy is a state of allergic response, mediated by IgE. So, it is important to know the state of sensitization against innocurous antigens derived from agent such as pollens and house dust mite. The 918 cases of first-year students of junior high school children in Wakayama 'prefecture were subjected. The quetionnaire for atopic disease was performed. And total IgE antibody and specific IgE antibodies to house-dust mite and Japanese cedar pollen were measured by Lumiward immuno-assay system.
The results showed that the prevalence (present + past) was 29.1% in eczema, 20.1% in asthma and 18.1% in rhinitis including pollinosis. Total IgE level shows various titers. The incidence of specific IgE antibody positivity to DP (house dust-mite; Dermatophagoides pteronysinus) and Japanese cedar pollen were 41.4% and 36.4% respectively. We examined what kind of factors influenced on the levels of total IgE and the positivity of specific IgE antibodies. The levels of total IgE and the positivity of specific IgE antibodies were higher in male, chil-dren who have atopic diseases in the past and/or the present and who have the families with atopic dis-eases within their three generations. However, it was not clear the relation between the IgE antibodies and the history of Various viral infection diseases and viral vaccinations.
