Ono, TetsuyaKawamura, MasahideArao, ShinsukeSahashi, NorioNariuchi, Hideo2009-05-272009-05-272005-12-29Ono T, Kawamura M, Arao S, Sahashi N, Nariuchi H. Quantitative analysis of antigen specific IgE in tears in comparison to serum samples. Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology. 2005 Jun-Sep; 23(2-3): 93-100http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/36594Published by the Allergy and Immunology Society of Thailand.We determined pollen specific IgE in tears and compared these results to the concentration of specific IgE in serum samples. We obtained tears (using Schirmer strips) and serum samples from subjects with Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollinosis, and tested for C. japonica pollen specific IgE using a quantitative ELISA. Time kinetic analyses through the pollen season showed that specific IgE levels in tears were found to increase earlier than those in sera and reached their maximum at the end of or after the pollen season, from March to early June. In the C. japonica pollen free season, July to December, the specific IgE levels in tears decreased, although the serum levels remained relatively high. These results indicate that the quantitative assay for specific IgE in tears might be useful to identify specific eye allergens.engAdultAntigen-Antibody Reactions --immunologyAntigens, Plant --bloodCryptomeria --immunologyEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent AssayEpitopes --immunologyHumansImmunoglobulin E --bloodJapan --epidemiologyMiddle AgedPollen --classificationRhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal --immunologySeasonsTears --immunologyComparative Study