If a patient has specific IgE antibodies to a particular allergen in his serum, does this always mean that he has clinical symptoms?
The detection of IgE antibodies indicates that the sensitization process has been initiated. Along with symptoms and a positive case history it confirms the causative allergen, but without symptoms it may predict later development of allergic disease. It is often seen that specific IgE antibody responses are preceding the symptoms, but the symptoms catch up with time. In children it could also be seen that the IgE antibodies, i.e. to cow’s milk, remain in the serum for a period after tolerance has been induced.
