type of antibody found in the serum and skin of allergically hypersensitive persons and in smaller amounts in the serum of normally sensitive persons. Most reaginic antibodies are the immunoglobulin E (IgE) fraction in the blood. Reagins are easily destroyed by heating, do not pass the placental barrier (i.e., an allergic mother cannot passively make her child allergic), and have a much longer life-span than other types of antibodies. Reaginic antibodies can be transferred passively to a second person; thus, blood transfusions from allergic donors have occasionally produced temporary identical allergies in the nonallergic recipient for a brief time. See also allergy; atopy.