Effect of acellular pertussis vaccine on the development of allergic sensitization to environmental allergens in adults.
BACKGROUND
Exposure of children to pertussis antigens caused by infection or vaccination with whole-cell pertussis vaccine may increase the serum IgE level and predispose to sensitization to the prevalent environmental allergens. Acellular pertussis vaccine (APV) that may be given to adults may have a similar effect.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether APV will cause an increase in environmental sensitization measured by an increase of serum-specific IgE to the allergens to which adults are exposed during the vaccination period.


METHODS
One hundred adult hospital employees were randomized to receive either a 2-component APV composed of pertussis toxin and filamentous hemagglutinin or a meningococcal vaccine as a control. Serum-specific IgE level to 2 indoor allergens, cat and dust mite, and 2 outdoor allergens prevalent during the immunization season, Alternaria species and ragweed, was measured by an RIA on sera collected before and 1 month after vaccination.


RESULTS
The group that received the APV had no significant change in their serum-specific IgE levels to cat, dust, Alternaria species, or ragweed 1 month after vaccination.


CONCLUSIONS
A 2-component APV did not predispose to an increase of allergen-specific IgE in an adult population.
Assa'ad
A
A
Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
Lierl
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000276:immunology*; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000528:Alternaria / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000276:immunology; D002474:Cell-Free System; D004391:Dust; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology; D010567:Pertussis Vaccine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology
D000393:Air Pollutants; D000485:Allergens; D004391:Dust; D010567:Pertussis Vaccine; D007073:Immunoglobulin E