Total serum immunoglobulin E in patients with alopecia areata

Abstract

Context:Alopecia areata (AA) is a common form of localized, non-scarring hair loss. The pathogenesis of the disease is unknown. Previous evidence suggested the involvement of Th2 cytokines in disease pathogenesis.Aim:To determine serum level of total IgE, this is mainly influenced by Th2 cytokines, in Egyptian patients with AA.Materials and Methods:Fifty subjects with AA (28 males and 22 females) were selected from Dermatology Outpatient Clinic, Menoufiya University Hospital from February 2012 to December 2012. Subjects with other conditions that might elevate serum IgE were excluded from the study. Fifty age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were selected as a control group. Venous blood samples were taken from cases and controls for measurement of total serum IgE by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Skin biopsy was taken from every case from an active area of hair loss.Results:Total serum IgE was elevated in 27 (54%) cases. Its values among patients ranged from 13.5 IU/ml to 780 IU/ml. There was a statistically significant difference between cases and controls with regard to mean value of serum IgE (P < 0.05). Mean value of IgE did not vary significantly with disease severity, patients’ age, patients’ gender, disease duration, site of lesions, and positive family history of AA. No correlation was found between serum IgE levels and histopathological changes detected in examined cases.Conclusions:Total serum IgE is elevated in AA. This elevation is not related to age, gender, disease duration, disease severity, site of affection or family history of AA.

Allergy promotes alopecia areata in a subset of patients

“… Eosinophil infiltration in AA lesions . Eosinophils are variably present in AA scalp lesions . Previously, we also found plasma cells in the infiltrating cell population .…”

“…Eosinophils are variably present in AA scalp lesions. [8,28,31,32] Previously, we also found plasma cells in the infiltrating cell population. [8] The presence of eosinophils may be a favourable prognosis indication for AA disease duration.…”

“…High titres of serum IgE have been found in several AA studies, even in supposedly non-atopic patients. [25][26][27][28][29] In our own studies, high IgE titres correlate to relative resistance to the treatment of AA. [30] 6.…”

Cytokine Targeted Therapeutics for Alopecia Areata: Lessons from Atopic Dermatitis and Other Inflammatory Skin Diseases

“…Although this has not yet been fully established for alopecia areata (AA), studies are now shedding light on immune pathways that are upregulated in this common, T-cell-mediated disease that has a lifetime prevalence of up to 2%, and is typified by nonscarring hair loss (Renert-Yuval and Guttman-Yassky, 2016). The AA phenotype shares some commonalities with AD, a remarkably prevalent inflammatory skin disease, including pruritus, elevated IgE levels, IL-13, and filaggrin mutations (Bakry et al, 2014;Betz et al, 2007;Finner, 2011;Jagielska et al, 2012;Suarez-Farinas et al, 2015). Furthermore, a history of atopy (personal or familial), and of AD in particular, is the greatest risk factor for the development of AA, and patients with AA who also have AD are at great risk for developing severe AA (Barahmani et al, 2009;Lee et al, 2014).…”

Clinical Significance of Elevated Serum Total IgE: Review

“…43,44 Alopesi areata tanısı alan olguları değerlendiren ça-lışmalarda total IgE yüksekliği %19,7-54 arasında bulunmuştur. 45 Nefrotik sendroma neden olan glomerülonef-ritlerde de (minimal lezyon, fokal segmental glomerüloskleroz, membranöz glomerülonefrit, IgM nefropatisi) serum total IgE düzeyi yükselir.…”