Serum IgE level in malnutrition.

UNLABELLED: Infections and malnutrition remain the main causes of infant mortality in developing countries. In protein-calorie malnutrition, immunologic responses are affected, which often facilitates infections. However, the presence of asthma and allergic rhinitis are not commonly recognized in malnourished individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum IgE values in children with primary moderate protein-calorie malnutrition. METHODS: The level of IgE in peripheral blood of 18 children between 2 and 4 old with moderate protein-calorie malnutrition and without associated parasitic infestation was compared with that of 15 well nourished children of similar age. IgE serum levels were measured by an immunoenzymatic method. RESULTS: The median level of serum IgE in malnourished children was 69.30 ng/ml while the control group showed a mean level of 95.97 ng/ml. This difference was significant (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Malnourished children show decreased serum IgE levels. This might be one of the adaptive mechanisms of malnutrition employed in an attempt to use energy and protein reserves for growth and other functions. Our results are coherent with the decrease in IgE mediated reactions in malnourished patients.

Ataxia-telangiectasia: a clinical and laboratory review study of 14 cases.

Fourteen patients with ataxia-telangiectasia and 10 relatives were studied. Besides neurological examination, laboratorial investigations as to their immunological condition were carried out. In this study, our attention was attracted to the most frequent and relevant laboratorial data being decreased serum and salivary levels of IgA, decreased rate of blastic transformation of lymphocytes and increased serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). On the other hand, no patient showed increased levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Our population reported a consanguinity rate of 28.5%.