Clinical spectrum of pulmonary hydatidosis and raised serum IgE levels in the Indian southern peninsula.

Fifteen patients with surgically proven hydatid disease of the lung aged between 4 and 51 years were studied. The disease spectrum varied from single to multiple cysts of different sizes, with associated pyogenic chest infections or parasitic infestations of the gut. The serum IgE level varied widely in these cases and very high levels were found in 60% of the patients. This high IgE response was related to the vitality of the cysts, associated bacterial infection of the chest, infection with helminths and smoking habit.