Staphylococcal superantigen-specific IgE antibodies and its correlation with asthma severity

Background Elevated IgE antibodies to Staphylococcal toxins (superantigens) are related to asthma severity in a few studies. We have investigated this hypothesis in an adult asthmatic population from the Clinical Immunology outpatient service of an University Hospital. Our objectives were: to detect the presence and the degree of IgEmediated sensitization to staphylococcal toxins in vitro in asthma patients; to correlate the presence and concentration of specific IgE against staphylococcal toxins with asthma severity; and to assess whether elevated levels of serum IgE specific for staphylococcal toxins may have predictive value for asthma severity.