Background: Serum IgD and IgE levels were measured in children with atopic asthma and in control Group in order to determine their relationship with clinical status.
Methods: Samples of venous blood (of 5 cc) were drawn from 25 asthmatic children (Group A) and 25 healthy children (Group B) at the moment of first diagnosis (T0), after 6 months (T180) and after 18 months (T540). To measure IgD, an ELISA assay based on the sandwich principle was used.
Results: At T0, IgD were significantly higher in Group A (182.7 5+/-88.18 IU/ml) in comparison with Group B (69.58+/-4.93 IU/ml, p<0.0001); IgD levels decreased in Group A at T540.
Conclusions: In conclusion, a significant increase of IgD levels observed in children at first signs of asthma and the following normalization of these same levels after 18 months, may represent a non specific response or an attempt of the organism to block asthma, favouring therefore immunologic tolerance.