IMMUNOGLOBULIN E ROLE IN PARASITIC DISEASES: AN OVERVIEW

Authors

1 Consultant of Microbiology, Military Medical Academy, Cairo, 1129, Egypt

2 Consultant of Preventive Medicine, Military Medical Academy, Cairo, 11291, Egypt

3 Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain- Shams University, Cairo, 11566, Egypt

Abstract

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is a type of antibody (or immunoglobulin (Ig) "isotype") that is 
found only in mammals. IgE is synthesized by plasma cells. Monomers of IgE consist of two 
heavy chains (ε chain) and two light chains, the ε chain containing four Igs-like constant do
mains (Cε1-Cε4). IgE is an important part of the immune response against infection by cer
tain zoonotic worms, and protozoa.  IgE may have evolved as a defense to protect against ven
oms. IgE also has an essential role in type I hypersensitivity, manifests in allergic diseases; al
lergic asthma, most sinusitis types, allergic rhinitis, food allergies, and chronic urticar
ia and atopic dermatitis specific types. IgE also plays a pivotal role in responses to allergens, 
such as anaphylactic reactions to drugs, bee stings, and antigen preparations used in desensiti
zation immunotherapy. 
IgE is the least blood serum levels in a non-atopic individual are only 0.05% of Ig concentrat- 
ion compared to 75% for IgGs at 10mg/ml. But, it can trigger anaphylaxis, one of the most rap
id and severe immunological reactions. This reviewed IgE role of in some zoonotic parasites.

Keywords

Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology
Volume 54, Issue 3
December 2024
Pages 415-423

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