Definition of Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome:

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome is a suspected genetic defect that produces high levels of the antibody immunoglobulin (IgE). It causes serious skin and lung infections as well as eczema.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome is also know as Job syndrome, after the biblical character Job whose faithfulness was tested by a lifelong affliction of draining skin sores and pustules. People with this condition have chronic and severe skin infections.

It is an extremely rare disease, and the cause is unknown. However, the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus is believe to most commonly trigger the infections related to the disease. Other common triggers include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Candida albicans, and the herpes virus.

Hyper IgE syndrome is, in most cases, inherited in a dominant fashion, meaning that it can run in families with high frequency.