IgG4-IgE complex interferes with measurement of IgE concentration.

Background And Aims: Patients with immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease (IgG4-RD) have elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentration compared to that in healthy individuals, which suggests the occurrence of IgE-mediated allergic reactions. We have previously shown that IgG4 and IgE form a complex in some patients with IgG4-RD. However, it is currently unknown whether and how the presence of the IgG4-IgE complex affects IgE concentration measurements by different assays.

Materials And Methods: Twenty patients with confirmed presence or absence of IgG4-IgE complex were evaluated. We compared IgE concentrations measured by ST AIA-PACK IgE II (AIA-PACK), Elecsys IgE II Immunoassay (Elecsys), and Iatroace IgE (Iatroace) and evaluated to what extent the IgG4-IgE complex interfered with these measurements.

Results: In patients with the IgG4-IgE complex, IgE concentrations measured using Iatroace were significantly lower than those measured using Elecsys and tended to be lower than those measured using AIA-PACK. IgE concentrations determined by Iatroace were significantly different in patients with and without the IgG4-IgE complex, whereas no significant differences between these groups were detected when IgE concentrations were measured by AIA-PACK or Elecsys.

Conclusion: The formation of the IgG4-IgE complex underestimates measured IgE concentrations depending on the method used. Therefore, caution should be exercised when selecting a specific IgE assay for patients with IgG4-RD.