BACKGROUND: Several candidate genes have been found to be associated with the inflammatory response of IgE-mediated allergy, so also the immunoglobulin constant heavy G chain (IGHG) genes. The IGHG genes are situated close to the IGHE gene on chromosome 14q32, 5'mu, delta, gamma3, gamma1, alpha1, gamma2, gamma4, epsilon, alpha2, 3'. They are inherited in a Mendelian fashion and expressed randomly in allelic exclusion. The alternative and functionally different gamma3, gamma1 and gamma2 gene variants are found in four IGHG haplotypes, coding four B cell variants. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of different IGHG genes in relation to phenotypes associated with allergy, in a case-control study. METHODS: We identified the constant heavy-chain genes of IgG in 198 allergic and non-allergic children participating in the Phase II of the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Children. The IGHG genes were assessed by the alternative serum IgG subclass allotypes expressing the alternative alleles of gamma3, gamma1 and gamma2 genes, using ELISA and double immunodiffusion. RESULTS: The IGHG*bfn haplotype (=B1 cells) and IGHG2*n allele dominated (51% vs. 24%, P=0.002) and the IGHG*bf-n haplotype (=B2 cells) was infrequent (16% vs. 52%, P