[IgE deficiency: a forgotten disease?].

BACKGROUND

Selective IgE deficiency is a profound deficiency (< 5 UI/mL) or absence of serum IgE levels without other immunologic abnormalities. It is usually asymptomatic, but may be associated with recurrent respiratory infections, chronic fatigue, and musculoskeletal complaints.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the evolution and treatment in patients with selective IgE deficiency.

PATIENTS AND METHOD: In selective IgE's deficiency patients identification note, atopy history, concurrent diseases, clinic of allergic diseases, Prick test and prior response to treatment were analyzed.

RESULTS

Eleven patients were included, five women and six men within 16 months to 10 years old. The patients had serum IgE levels < 5 UI with other immunoglobulins and sub-classes in normal levels; except a patient with concomitant IgA and IgE deficiency. The treatment administered was since prophylactic antibiotic to intravenous gammaglobulin.

DISCUSSION: We established the diagnosis of selective IgE deficiency in patient with serum IgE levels < 5 UI/mL associated with recurrent respiratory infections.

CONCLUSIONS

We need more clinic studies to document with precision the selective IgE deficiency.