Detection Total Serum Immunoglobulin E (TSIgE) Concentration in Atopic Asthmatic Children with HRV and RSV Infection

Abstract Background: Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes inflammation and narrows the airways. It was considered to be an allergic disease; therefore, immunoglobulin E (IgE) plays a crucial role in this disease because it is highly responsive to allergens such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human rhinovirus (HRV). Mast cells, T helper 2 cells, and their cytokines play a role in the pathogenesis of atopic asthma. IgE plays a significant role in allergic disease, particularly in asthma. As a result, total serum IgE (TSIgE) level measurement helps with asthma diagnosis and patient status monitoring. Objectives: The aims of this study were to measure the TSIgE level in atopic asthma with RSV and HRV, evaluate its relationship to illness severity, and evaluate TSIgE’s role in the identification of atopic asthma. Materials and Methods: This study included 50 atopic asthmatic children, consisting of 35 males and 15 females, who attended a consulting clinic for respiratory diseases and asthma at Karbala Teaching Hospital for Children. Their age range from 1 to 6 years. Fifty healthy children (32 males and18 females), matched for age and gender with the patients, were selected as control group. The traits and clinical data were collected from consultant, asthmatic children, and/or their parents through a questionnaire. Furthermore, data were obtained from the healthy children and/or their parents during a questionnaire. Whole blood was collected from each child, and the separated sera were used to measure total IgE levels for all samples using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. A peripheral blood sample was used to measure the absolute eosinophil count by peripheral blood smear. Results: The current results showed a highly significant association between TSIgE concentration in atopic asthmatic patients (275.77 ± 1295) compared to the healthy group (11.153 ± 6.92). Additionally, mean of eosinophils in atopic patients was 6.2 ± 2.5, whereas in healthy group, it was 1.7 ± 0.81 ( P = 0.016). Moreover, eosinophil count and TSIgE levels were higher in moderate asthma compared to the mild asthma, respectively. HRV and RSV (Immunoglobulin M IgM positive) were found at a higher percentage (42.8%) in asthmatic children, with 2 out of 7 (28.5%) and 1 out of 7 (14.3%) children from the age group of 1–2 years ( P = 0.09), respectively. Conclusion: The TSIgE level is important for differentiating between asthmatic and non-asthmatic children. Furthermore, TSIgE levels and eosinophil count aid in diagnosing atopic asthma, especially in children. TSIgE levels are associated with asthma severity.