Estimation of serum immunoglobulin E level in asthma and its correlation with Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection

Abstract

This study carried out to show the association between Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection and asthma. a cohort 65 serum samples were collected from asthma patients within age group of 15-62 years ( 37 females and 28 males) and 20 healthy controls. The levels of IgE and EBV IgM antibodies were measured by ELISA assay. The results showed that IgE levels increased with severity of asthma (327.95 IU/ml) and the high level of IgE in asthma patients with age group (45-55 years) was 306 IU/ml. Sero detection of EBV showed that EBV infection increased with severity of asthma and was highest in females with severe asthma. serum IgE levels were high in asthmatic as compared to healthy controls and the highest levels of it was in severity of asthma. On other hand, there was weak significant correlation between levels of IgE and EBV infections in asthma patients.

Keywords

IgE level, Asthma, EBV