Evaluation of serum IgG subclass levels in asthmatic and atopic children with recurrent infection

ABSTRACT

Serum IgG subclass levels were measured using an indirect immunoenzymatic assay [ELISA] with monoclonal antibodies in 16 children with asthma and 13 children with atopy who had mostly recurrent infections. Seven of the asthmatic children had marked low or low normal levels of IgG[4], six had marked low or low normal levels of IgG[3], two had marked low normal levels of both IgG[2] and IgG[3] and one had low levels of IgG[2], IgG[3] and IgG[4]. All these patients suffered from recurrent sinopulmonary infections- There were low percentages of IgG[3] and IgG[4] defects [about 15%] in the atopic patients, while a significant increase in the serum IgG[4] levels were observed [six patient out of 13 patients, 46.2%]