title: Serum interleukins 12 and 18 and immunoglobulin E concentrations and allergic symptoms in Japanese schoolchildren.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is considerable concern about the rising trend in the prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases. The ability to monitor this trend would be enhanced by the use of a biological marker for these diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated whether serum interleukin (IL) 12 and IL-18 levels were associated with allergic symptoms such as those of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic eczema in Japanese schoolchildren.
  
  
  METHODS
  Allergic symptoms and serum IL-12, IL-18, and immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels were examined in 370 schoolchildren aged 9-10 years living in urban Japanese areas. Allergic symptoms were assessed with a questionnaire designed in accordance with the protocol of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum IL-12 levels in children were not associated with any allergic symptoms. However, serum IL-18 levels were significantly higher in children who had asthma, allergic rhinitis, or atopic eczema than in those who did not have such symptoms. Serum IL-18 levels were also significantly higher in children with IgE levels of 250 IU/mL or above than in those with levels below 250 IU/mL. Gender-adjusted serum IL-18 levels were still significantly higher in children with allergic rhinitis, atopic eczema, or at least one allergic symptom than in those without symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that serum IL-18 levels are associated with allergic symptoms in children, independent of serum IgE levels. Thus, serum IL-18 may be a useful biological marker of these diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ando
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shima
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002947:Cities; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000097:blood; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood*; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D020382:Interleukin-18; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007073:Immunoglobulin E