Decreased haptoglobin levels in respiratory allergy

Summary As unusually high frequency of decreased haptoglobin levels in patients with asthma and/or rhinitis is described. The condition is significantly associated with haptoglobin 2-2 phenotype. Decreased haptoglobin levels are more frequently associated with young age, atopic antecedents, positive skin tests for pollens, higher IgE and higher RAST activity for pollens and housedust mite. Whether the association of decreased haptoglobin levels and IgE-mediated. respiratory disease has a physiopathological significance or is solely the expression of a common genetic determinate remains to be investigated.