Background: We previously reported elevated levels of total serum IgE in patients with asthma, regardless of their atopic status. We hypothesized that certain factors inherent to asthma may contribute to this non-specific elevation of total serum IgE. In the current study, to evaluate the role of eosinophils in the regulation of total serum IgE, we examined whether peripheral blood eosinophil count is associated with total serum IgE level in patients with eosinophilic lung diseases.
Methods: Ninety-nine healthy controls, 277 patients with asthma, 15 patients with acute eosinophilic pneumonia, 21 patients with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia were studied for total serum IgE levels and peripheral blood eosinophil counts.
Results: Patients with acute or chronic eosinophilic pneumonia had significantly increased total serum IgE levels compared with healthy controls regardless as atopic status (p<0.001). In non-atopic subjects with eosinophilic lung diseases, total serum IgE level was significantly correlated with peripheral blood eosinophil count (r=0.42, p<0.001, n=57).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that, in addition to antigen-specific IgE production, non-specific IgE production may contribute to elevated levels of total serum IgE in patients with asthma or eosinophilic pneumonia. An increased number of activated eosinophils may underlie an increased total serum IgE level in these conditions.