Does pertussis infection induce manifestation of allergy?
To evaluate whether pertussis induces the development of allergy, a prospective study was performed in 25 children aged 0.8-12.2 years. The patients underwent allergy diagnostics during pertussis infection and at a follow-up visit 8-14 months later. Diagnostic criteria included the medical history of the patients and their families, a modified skin prick test, measurement of serum IgE and radio-allergosorbent test screening for specific sensitizations. At the time of pertussis, serum IgE concentration in the study group was 62 +/- 30 kU/ml. At the follow-up visit, there was a significant increase in serum IgE to 137 +/- 51 kU/ml, which was also significantly higher than IgE in an age-matched control group. Children at a significantly higher risk for developing IgE increase or new allergic sensitizations were those with a family history of allergy or potentially allergic disease in their personal history. Our results indicate that pertussis may induce IgE production in affected children.
Schuster
A
A
Kinderklinik der Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf.
Hofmann
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A
Reinhardt
D
D
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology
D007073:Immunoglobulin E