Clinical significance of total serum IgE determination in screening of Iranian Russian thistle pollen hypersensitive individuals.

Total serum IgE concentrations of normal and Russian thistle (Salsola pestifer) pollen hypersensitive individuals were determined in an Iranian population, using the solid phase radioimmunoassay technique. The mean values were 963.7 and 885.3 ng/ml, respectively, which are much higher than normal values given for non-Iranian populations. In addition, no significant differences were found between observed values (P = 0.1) for normal and allergic individuals. The effect of common parasitic infestation in the Iranian population in causing high serum IgE levels is discussed.