IgE and IgE antibody to mite in nasal fluid.

The levels of total IgE and IgE antibodies to mite per unit quantity of nasal fluid were successfully determined by our special method of collecting nasal fluid. The mean value of IgE was 80 +/- 101 U/ml, and that of IgE Ab 1.45 +/- 1.29/ml (RAST score) in NF. Nasal IgE concentration was approximately one twenthieth of serum IgE on the average, and nasal IgE Ab to mite was one half of serum IgE. The IgE Ab/IgE ratio was nine times greater in NF (0.0181) than in serum (0.0022). The concentration of IgE Ab to mite was very well correlated between serum and NF (correlation coefficient of 0.83), while that of IgE was not (coefficient of 0.51). IgE Ab to mite was also well correlated to IgE (coefficient of 0.78) in NF while it was not in serum (coefficient of 0.48). The correlation coefficient of nasal/serum IgA was 0.41; that of IgE/IgA in NF was 0.31; and that of IgE/total protein in NF was also 0.31. The possibility of local production and secretion of IgE Ab to specific allergen is discussed in detail.