Hyper IgE in a HIV positive patient - Case report

Background: Hyperimmunoglobulinemia E Syndrome (HIES) is a primary immunodeficiency syndrome associated with multiple abnormalities. Clinical manifestations of atopic allergy, drug reactions, and increased IgE in serum were previously reported during the course of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Case report: We herby describe the case of one 63 yrs old male patient with a history of weight loss and diarrhoea, who was previously treated for enterocolitis. He was also treated at the Dermatological Clinic for herpes zoster infection and undiagnosed allergy. Microbiology tests showed presence of Candida and Klebsiella pneumoniae in the patient's sputum which led to testing and confirmation of HIV/AIDS. After that, Lues was diagnosed and blood sample was sent to our laboratory, to evaluate if this atopic patients was sensitized to beta-lactam antibiotics. The results showed increased level of total IgE for almost 12 times above normal ranges and also allergy to ampicillin was revealed. Highly increased levels of total IgE indicated the possibility for HIE Syndrome in this patient. However the relationship of such findings to the immunologic abnormalities found in patients with HIV is not entirely clear. Conclusion: In conclusion, this is the first case of HIV positive patient with hyper IgE mmunoglobulinemia in the Republic of Macedonia. We addressed the important laboratory findings and actual theories explaining possible association between hyper IgE immunoglobulinemia and HIV/AIDS.