title: A comparison of the development of antibody responses to the polysaccharide antigen (Candida albicans mannan) in atopic and healthy infants and children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Defective antibody response against bacterial polysaccharide antigens is known to be associated with recurrent pyogenic infections. The role of childhood allergy as a risk factor for repeated infections with capsulated micro-organisms has been controversial.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the development of polysaccharide specific antibody responses in atopic and healthy infants and children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The antibody responses against a common polysaccharide antigen, Candida albicans mannan, were studied longitudinally in 18 atopic and 19 non-atopic children over the first 5 years of life. Determinations of IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies were carried out by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and IgE antibodies by nitrocellulose-based radioallergosorbent test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The polysaccharide specific antibody responses were similar in both groups, except that anti-mannan IgM levels were higher at 5 years in the atopic children (P < 0.05, student's t-test).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atopic children are not more susceptible to bacterial infections on the basis of poorer ability to produce antibodies against polysaccharide antigens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Turku University, Finland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nermes
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fälth-Magnusson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Savolainen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Viander
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Björksten
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008351:Mannans / Q000276:immunology*; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D008351:Mannans