[Risk indices of reagin allergy. I. The rhesus phenotype and specific IgE production].

The authors have studied the frequency of the rhesus phenotype elements CC, Cc or cc, in relationship with the different specific IgE antibodies determined by Radio immunoassay (Phadebas IgE Rast). They found a regular distribution of these phenotype elements, whatever the different IgE among all subjects with family respiratory allergic diseases. On the other hand, among all subjects who have no family atopic history, rhesus cc phenotype is significantly more frequent. This situation is observed in both sexes equally. To understand, the causal mechanicism, serum IgA and IgM were compared. A good correlation was found only with CC rhesus allergic patients. It is suggested that these patients are carrying a non yet identified immune response gene, whereas cc rhesus subjects could be suffering from an important transmucosal penetration of the environmental antigens.