IgE levels are often increased in patients with allergic disease. IgE binds to the membranes of mast cells and
basophils, and if specific antigen is present to react with the IgE molecule, degranulation of these cells occurs,
releasing histamines, and other substances into the blood or tissues.
Which of the following immunoglobulin classes is chiefly responsible for the degranulation of mast cells and
basophils:
Haemophilus influenzae is both X and V factor dependent for growth, and is the most common cause of
obstructive laryngitis and epiglottitis. H. parainfluenzae is only V-factor dependent and causes only mild
pharyngitis, rarely obstructive in nature. H. aphrophilus can be part of the normal upper respiratory flora in
humans, does not cause pharyngitis, and is not X or V-factor dependent for growth. Although H. haemolyticus
is both X and V-factor dependent, it is beta hemolytic on blood agar and is generally considered non
pathogenic.
Acute obstructive epiglottitis, both in adults and children, is caused by the bacterial species shown in this split
screen photograph. The colonies recovered on chocolate agar (upper frame) required both hematin and NAD,
(as shown by colony growth only between the X and V strips in the lower frame). The most likely
identification is: