Background and objective: Atopy is a common immunological disorder underlying allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis and allergic asthma. There is an association between atopy and the polymorphism Q576R in the IL4RA gene. The aim of this study is to analyze the allelic distribution of the Q576R polymorphism in an atopic and non atopic population and the relationship with total IgE levels and the family history of atopy.
Patients and method: Q576R polymorphism of IL4RA gene was analyzed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using MspI restriction enzyme in 154 patients from the Allergy Department of the University Hospital of Salamanca.
Results: We have not found an association between the R576 allele and higher serum IgE levels nor atopy in this population. Nevertheless, there is an association between this allele and IgE levels in patients with positive skin prick test and family history of atopy.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that the R576 allele could characterize a specific group of patients with a familial history of atopy in whom the presence of this allele may be related to higher levels of serum IgE.