Frequency of allergic diseases following measles.
OBJECTIVE
Viral and bacterial infections in childhood decrease the likelihood of allergic diseases in later life. The frequency of allergic diseases in patients with a history of measles has been reported to be low but some studies still suggest that measles can increase the frequency of allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of allergic diseases following measles in childhood.


METHODS
Fifty-two children hospitalized in our clinic with measles were compared with 51 children without measles. Allergic diseases were investigated in both groups by using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. In all children, allergy skin tests were performed with the four most common allergens.


RESULTS
Sensitivity to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was less frequent in children with measles than in those without (p < 0.05). A history of nebulized salbutamol use in the emergency room in the previous 12 months was also less frequent in the measles group (p < 0.05). Inhaled corticosteroid use was more common in the group without measles (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that findings of allergic disease are less frequent in children with a history of measles. These children were less sensitive to D. pteronyssinus.
Kucukosmanoglu
E
E
Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Gaziantep University Istanbul, Turkey. ercankosmanoglu@yahoo.com
Cetinkaya
F
F
Akcay
F
F
Pekun
F
F
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017668:Age of Onset; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000485:Allergens; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008458:Measles Vaccine; D008925:Mites; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D015995:Prevalence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000453:epidemiology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000453:epidemiology; D012882:Skin Tests; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D008458:Measles Vaccine; D000420:Albuterol