Effects of early measles on later rhinitis and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
BACKGROUND
The hygiene hypothesis suggests that infectious diseases in early life reduce the risk of allergic diseases.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between measles infection during early childhood and the prevalence of allergic diseases, lung function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), and sensitization in later childhood.


METHODS
A survey was conducted 5 years after a nationwide measles outbreak in Korea. From September 1 through November 30, 2006, we obtained information on history of measles and allergic diseases but not of measles vaccination through a questionnaire completed by 1004 schoolchildren aged 6 to 7 years. Furthermore, we measured measles antibody titers and performed skin prick tests, pulmonary function tests, and methacholine challenge tests. Children were divided into groups based on their history of measles infection and antibody titers.


RESULTS
Prevalence of measles infection was 8.2%. Children with both a positive measles history and a positive antimeasles antibody had significantly higher antimeasles antibody levels than those without a measles history. The prevalence of current rhinitis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-3.40), rhinitis ever (aOR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.19-3.94), and current BHR (aOR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.04-3.78) was significantly higher in the group with a positive measles history compared with the group with a negative measles antibody. No differences were found among groups in the prevalence of asthma, lung function, provocation concentration that caused a decrease in forced expiratory volume of 1 second of 20%, or sensitization.


CONCLUSIONS
Early measles infection was associated with increased prevalence of rhinitis and BHR at the age of 7 years but has no effect on the development of asthma and allergy at the age of 7 years. This study indicates that common childhood infections such as measles in early age do not protect against later development of allergic diseases.
Shim
Jung Yeon
JY
Department of Pediatrics, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Hyo Bin
HB
Lee
So-Yeon
SY
Yu
Jinho
J
Kim
Woo Kyung
WK
Kang
Dongmug
D
Lee
Chul Gab
CG
Ha
Mina
M
Kwon
Ho-Jang
HJ
Hong
Yun-Chul
YC
Park
Kang Seo
KS
Lee
Hae-Ran
HR
Hong
Soo-Jong
SJ
D017668:Age of Onset; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D018103:Morbillivirus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015995:Prevalence; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000209:etiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D016210:Methacholine Chloride