Serum IgE in Polytransfused Thalassemic Patients

Abstract

Serum IgE was determined by radioimmunoassay in 28 subjects affected by homozygous beta thalassemia (14 males and 14 females, aged 3-19 years, mean age 7 +/- 5.6 years). They were given transfusions with packed red cells and chelant therapy. Blood samples were taken just before a transfusion (basal value) and at 10-day intervals (2-3 times) between transfusions. Serum IgE values were significantly increased in the thalassemic patients as compared with the control group. There was no relation between IgE and age, sex, skin allergy, familial atopy and splenectomy. Serum IgE was significantly higher in 7 subjects with a history of febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions. In the intertransfusional period there was a further serum IgE increase, which was statistically significant only in the older patients.

Altered T Cell Subsets and Function in Polytransfused β‐Thalassemia Patients: Correlation with Sex and Age at First Transfusion

“…From the immunological point of view, P-thalassemia patients often show an increase in immunoglobulin levels [3,7], modifications of neutrophil function [S-101 and reduced E-rosette-forming cells [ll], but, so far, no reports have appeared in the literature concerning T lymphocyte subsets in this population.…”

Altered T Cell Subsets and Function in Poly transfused β-Thalassemia Patients: Correlation with Sex and Age at First Transfusion

“…[1,2], infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) [3], chronic hepatitis [4,5] and isoimmuni zation to genetic types of immunoglobulins and ß-lipoproteins [6], From the immunological point of view, ß-thalassemia patients often show an in crease in immunoglobulin levels [3,7], mod ifications of neutrophil function [8][9][10] and reduced E-rosette-forming cells [11], but, so…”