IMMUNOGLOBULIN (IG) AND IGG SUBCLASSES IN ASIAN CHILDREN WITH BRONCHIAL-ASTHMA

Selective immunoglobulin deficiencies have been shown to be associated with atopic disease. In this study, serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G, A, M , E and IgG subclasses of 92 Asian asthmatic children were studied and compared with those of age-matched controls. The children, aged betwe en 0.7 and 17.4 years (mean age 7.5 years), were recruited from the Na tional University Hospital, Singapore. The serum Ig levels were measur ed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, except for IgE which was meas ured by the fluorescent allergosorbent test. his expected, serum total IgE levels were markedly higher in the asthmatic children than in the controls (geometric mean = 513 units/ml and 164 units/ml, respectivel y; p < 0.0001). Serum IgM levels were also slightly higher in the asth matic patients than in the controls (geometric mean = 1.74 and 1.51 g/ l, respectively; p < 0.04). Mean serum IgG and A and IgG subclasses (1 -4) levels in the asthmatics did not differ significantly from those i n the controls. However, four asthmatic children were found to have se lective IgA deficiency (serum IgA < 0.08 g/l). None of the patients wa s found to be IgG subclass-deficient.