EGG WHITE-SPECIFIC IGE LEVEL AS A TOLERANCE MARKER IN THE FOLLOW-UP OF EGG ALLERGY

Forty patients with symptomatic immediate hypersensitivity to egg who did not have atopic dermatitis were evaluated to determine if they con tinued to remain clinically symptomatic. Each had specific IgE in vitr o and positive prick-test to egg. All patients were on an egg eliminat ion diet. During the follow-up an open egg rechallenge was performed a long with a determination of egg white-specific IgE by CAP System. The egg white-specific IgE values were higher in the positive challenge g roup than in the negative one (p < 0.01, Mann-Whitney Test). There was a direct proportional relationship between the levels of egg white-sp ecific IgE and the likelihood of positive challenge. Specific IgE valu es above 1.20 KU(A)/L could be adequate grounds for delaying the follo w-up of egg challenge.