Serum IgE Levels in Korean Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection results in a selective CD4+ T cell depletion and an impairment of T cell regulation. Despite the immune depletion, the progression of HIV infection is accompanied by the stimulation of antibody synthesis. Thus, the prevalence and amplitude of the increase of total serum IgE level and the relationship between the IgE levels and the degree of immunodeficiency were evaluated in patients with HIV infection. METHOD Twenty-six Korean adults infected with HIV, in different stages, were evaluated for serum IgE level and CD4+ T cell count. Serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels were also determined. All subjects enrolled in this study denied an individual and familial history of atopic diseases. The possibility of parasitic infestation was also excluded by history and stool examination. RESULTS The mean serum IgE level was 473.5 IU/L with a standard deviation of 671.4 IU/L (range: 15.9-2000 IU/L) and increased serum IgE levels (> 200 IU/L) were found in 38.5% of the study population. The mean serum IgG, IgA and IgM levels were 1,939.5 +/- 588.6 mg/dL (normal: 751-1,560 mg/dL), 388.9 +/- 216.7 mg/dL (normal: 82-453 mg/dL) and 153.6 +/- 75.3 mg/dL (normal: 46-304 mg/dL), respectively. The CD4+ T cell count was inversely correlated to the serum IgE level (r = -0.429, p < 0.05), but not to the other isotypes of immunoglobulin. CONCLUSION Serum IgE levels are increased in adults with HIV infection and could be useful as a marker of disease progression. Further study is needed to elucidate the causes and clinical significance of these findings.