ABSTRACT
Objective To study the genetics pattern of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and serum total IgE in asthma pedigree. Methods Twenty-eight asthma families were collected, including 124 individuals, 72 with asthma and 52 without. Forty-five normal subjects of three generations without consanguinity among one another, 22 male and 23 female, were chosen as controls, excluding those with family history of asthma and hypersensitivity. Serum total IgE by ELISA and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) were detected in asthma pedigree members. Genetics pattern of BHR and serum total IgE was analysed. Results The frequency distribution of BHR was bimodal. Individuals with higher level of total IgE occupied 40 of BHR-affected. Conclusion BHR may be controlled by a single major gene. BHR and total IgE may be under separate genetic control.