Abstract: Objective Serum total immunoglobulin E(tIgE)and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E(sIgE)levels were detected in a healthy population to evaluate their clinical value and significance. Methods A total of 379 healthy volunteers were recruited for this study, including 207 males and 172 females who were aged 17-64 years with a median age of 27 years old. All volunteers underwent a healthy physical examination in the Jiangsu or Anhui area. Serum levels of tIgE and sIgE were detected using a capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the enzyme-league immune method(Phadiatop), respectively. A tIgE level ≤100 kU/L was regarded negative, while a level >100 kU/L was regarded positive. For the sIgE level, Phadiatop values < 0.35 kU/L(class 0)were regarded negative, and values ≥0.35 kU/L(class ≥1)were positive. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 software. A P-value less than 0.05 was 山东大学耳鼻喉眼学报31卷3期 -吴中飞,等.苏皖地区健康人群血清免疫球蛋白E水平测定与分析 \=-considered statistically significant, with a correction of α=0.05/6(P< 0.008 3)in multiple comparisons. Results Among the 379 healthy volunteers, the tIgE serum level was 1.48-1 903.22(median 53.70)kU/L, and it was significantly higher in males than in females(P<0.001). The serum level of sIgE(Phadiatop)was 0.01-45.20(median 0.07)kUA/L, with no significant difference between males and females(P=0.207). tIgE was positive and negative in 129 subjects(34.04%)and 250 subjects(65.96%), respectively, and Phadiatop was positive and negative in 88 subjects(23.22%)and 291 subjects(76.78%), respectively. The serum level of tIgE was highest in the group that was 17-30 years old(median 62.18 kU/L, P=0.006)among the four age groups, especially in males(80.60 kU/L, P=0.009). No significant difference was fund in the serum level of sIgE among the four age groups(P=0.318). There were 67 subjects(76.14%)with a tIgE level > 100 kU/L in the positive sIgE group and 62 subjects(21.31%)with a tIgE level > 100 kU/L in the negative sIgE group. Moreover, in the negative tIgE group, the majority were negative for sIgE(91.60%, P<0.001). The Spearman rank correlation coefficient between serum tIgE and sIgE levels was 0.650, which was statistically significant(positive correlation, P<0.001). Conclusion There was a positive correlation between the serum levels of tIgE and sIgE in this healthy population from the Jiangsu and Anhui areas. A lower serum level of tIgE(less than 100 kU/L)may be a reference value to exclude allergic sensitization.

Key words: Adult, Allergens, Hypersensitivity, Immunoglobulin E, Healthy volunteers