Serum CD23 is not altered in gastroallergic anisakiasis, but correlates with the production of specific IgE and the amount of polyclonal stimulation

Background: Previous studies have shown elevated serum levels of the cytoki nes IL-4 and sCD23 in atopic patients and parasitic disease. Gastroallergic anisakiasis is an acute parasitic disease, accompanied by IgE-mediated cli nical symptoms and an important increase of specific and total IgE. Methods: Sixteen patients with acute urticaria/angioedema due to parasitism by Anisakis simplex after intake of raw or undercooked fish were selected, and serum samples were taken in the emergency room within 24 h (day 0; n=1 6), after I month (n = 16), and after 6 months (n = 10). Serum samples were studied for specific IgE against A. simplex, total IgE, sCD23, and IL-4. Results: Mean values for sCD23 did not change in the observation period. On ly 4/16 serum samples showed measurable IL-4 levels. Specific IgE and total IgE levels were found to be elevated after 1 month; after 6 months, they f ell to nearly basal values. There was a positive correlation between sCD23 and specific IgE at day 0 and follow-up (r=0.55-0.69, P <0.026); a positive correlation beween sCD23 and total IgE (r=0.54-0.62, P <0.056). Basal sCD2 3 could moderately predict the percentual increment of total IgE in the fir st month (r=0.56, P <0.038). Conclusions: Thus, it seems that interindividual variability of sCD23 is an important factor, with higher values predisposing to more production of un related IgE, independently of the parasite's action.