[IgG4 antibodies to the allergens of grass and tree pollens in pollinosis patients: their diagnostic and prognostic significance]

Abstract

Total IgE, IgE and IgG4 antibodies to offending allergens were studied in 118 hay fever patients with allergy to tree pollen or to grass pollen. No difference in the level of total IgE and IgE antibodies was found between these groups of patients while the IgG4 antibody level was significantly higher in tree pollen-allergic patients. It has been established that in tree pollen allergy, the determination of IgG4 antibodies is of no less diagnostic value than the assay of IgE antibodies. The authors discuss the problems of the prognostic value of IgG4 antibody increase during the hyposensitization therapy and of a possible relationship between IgG4 antibodies and allergy to vegetable food often associated with tree pollen allergy.