Intense training: mucosal immunity and incidence of respiratory infections.
This investigation examined the impact of a multistressor situation on salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels, and incidence of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) during the French commando training (3 weeks of training followed by a 5-day combat course). For the URTI, the types of symptoms were classified according to the anatomical location of the infection. Saliva samples were collected (8 a.m.) from 21 males [21 (2) years] before entry into the commando training, the morning following the 3 weeks of training, after the 5-day combat course, and after 1 week of recovery. sIgA, protein and cortisol concentrations were measured. Symptoms of URTI were recorded during the study from health logs and medical examinations. After the 3 weeks of training, the sIgA concentration was not changed, although it was reduced after the 5-day course [from 120 (14) mg l(-1) to 71 (9) mg l(-1), P<0.01]. It returned to pre-training levels within a week of recovery. The incidence of URTI increased during the trial (chi(2)=53.48; P<0.01), but was not related to sIgA. Among the 30 episodes of URTI reported, there were 12 rhino-pharyngitis, 6 bronchitis, 5 tonsillitis, 4 sinusitis and 3 otitis. Cortisol levels were raised after the 3-week training (P<0.01), dropping below baseline after the combat course (P<0.01). Stressful situations have an adverse effect on mucosal immunity and incidence of URTI. However, the relationship between sIgA and illness remained unclear. The large proportion of rhino-pharyngitis indicated that the nasopharyngeal cavity is at a higher risk of infection.
Tiollier
E
E
Département de physiologie, IMASSA, B.P. 73, 91223, Brétigny-sur-Orge Cedex, France.
Gomez-Merino
D
D
Burnat
P
P
Jouanin
J-C
JC
Bourrilhon
C
C
Filaire
E
E
Guezennec
C Y
CY
Chennaoui
M
M
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000276:immunology*; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology*; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000276:immunology*
D007070:Immunoglobulin A