Serum IgE levels in patients with liver disease.

IgE (reaginic antibody) levels have been estimated on 160 occasions in 120 patients with liver disease. IgE levels were significantly raised in patients with untreated active chronic hepatitis, and returned towards normal with steroid or immunosuppressive therapy. They were also increased in patients with liver disease associated with alcoholism. There were no significant alterations in IgE levels in other types of acute or chronic liver disease. There were no significant correlations between IgE levels and the age or sex of the patients and the results of other laboratory tests carried out.