Association of High-Affinity FcεRI-β intron 2 for IgE Gene Polymorphism and Atopic Diseases in an Algerian Population

Atopy is characterized by the production of a high level of IgE in response to common allergens. We examined the RsaI-in2 polymorphism of the FcεRI-β gene and its association with atopic asthma and comorbidity. The study population included 77 atopic asthmatics and 77 non-atopic, non-allergic and non-asthmatic controls. Atopic asthma was confirmed by the skin prick test and by IgE and interleukin IL-4 levels. RsaI-in2 polymorphism was determined by RFLP-PCR using the RsaI enzyme. A significant correlation was found between genotype BB and sensitization to house dust mites in the asthmatic subjects (p = 0.000). Results also reveal significant allele sharing in the subjects affected by eczema (p = 0.000) and allergic rhinitis (p = 0.01) during childhood. Furthermore, the subjects with heterozygous AB and homozygous BB genotypes displayed significant IgE levels > 1000 UI mL^-1. IL-4 levels were also > 1000 pmol/ml for RsaI-in2 polymorphism genotype BB. Our findings show a strong association between genotype BB and the incidence of eczema and allergic rhinitis in childhood as well as increased IgE and IL-4 levels.