Detection of serum IgE class anti-SSA antibodies in mothers with foetal loss.

We previously reported a close relationship between serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E and anti-SSA antibody levels in mothers with foetal loss. Here, we investigated the existence of IgE class anti-SSA antibodies (IgE anti-SSA antibody) and the relationship of such antibodies with foetal loss. Serum samples from 24 women who were positive for IgG class anti-SSA antibody (IgG anti-SSA antibody) were examined for IgE anti-SSA antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Then, a retrospective analysis of the relationship between the IgE anti-SSA antibody positivity and the frequency of foetal loss was performed. Using our ELISA system, IgE anti-SSA antibodies were detected in the serum samples, and the frequency of foetal loss was increased among the mothers with higher IgE anti-SSA antibody titers. Our results indicate that IgE anti-SSA antibodies may be a useful marker for the risk of foetal loss in mothers with anti-SSA antibodies.