Abstract

OBJECTIVE--To evaluate the relationship between high serum levels of IgE and the release of interleukin-4 (IL-4) from cultured lymphocytes of a patient with adult onset Still's disease. METHODS--IL-4 concentrations in plasma and culture from inactivated peripheral blood mononuclear cells were assessed by enzyme immunoassay during febrile episodes and remission. RESULTS--A high level of IL-4 was detected by enzyme immunoassay in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultured from the patient. These seemed to correspond with a febrile episode and a high serum IgE concentration. CONCLUSION--Increased serum IgE concentrations during a febrile episode are rare in patients with adult onset Still's disease, but the relationship between the high levels of serum IgE and IL-4 in cultured lymphocytes may provide clues to pathogenesis of the condition.