Specific Dog Allergen Immunoglobulin G Antibodies in Patients with Allergic Conjunctivitis

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the role of total tear IgE, and specific serum dog IgG and IgE antibodies on the severity of allergic conjunctivitis. Methods: This study enrolled healthy subjects (control group, N=13), the patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (seasonal group, N=13), and patients with perennial allergic conjunctivitis ( perennial group, N=13). Skin prick test, tear IgE level, and serum specific dog IgE and IgG levels were examined. The severity of allergic conjunctivitis using a grading score (0-30) was also examined. Results: The levels of serum dog-specific IgE and IgG, and total tear IgE of the seasonal and perennial groups were higher as compared to those of the control group (all p<0.05). The levels of serum dog-specific IgG of the perennial group were higher than those of the seasonal group (0.4 +/- 0.6 vs. 0.0 +/- 0.0). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the skin prick test result for dog allergen was related to the serum dog-specific IgG levels, but not IgE levels (p<0.01). The severity of allergic conjunctivitis was related to the serum level of dog-specific IgG antibodies (p<0.01). Conclusion: It was concluded that dog-specific IgG antibodies level may be associated with the severity of dog-related perennial allergic conjunctivitis.