Virus detection and cytokine profile in relation to age among acute exacerbations of childhood asthma.
BACKGROUND
Little information is available regarding eosinophil activation and cytokine profiles in relation to age in virus-induced bronchial asthma. We therefore explored the association between age, respiratory viruses, serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and cytokines/chemokines in acute exacerbations of childhood asthma.


METHODS
We investigated viruses in nasal secretions from 88 patients with acute exacerbation of childhood asthma by using antigen detection kits and/or RT-PCR, followed by direct DNA sequencing analysis. We also measured peripheral eosinophil counts, and the serum levels of ECP and 27 types of cytokines/chemokines in 71 virus-induced acute asthma cases and 13 controls.


RESULTS
Viruses were detected in 71(80.7%) of the 88 samples. The three major viruses detected were rhinoviruses, RS viruses, and enteroviruses; enteroviruses were found to be dominant in patients aged ≥3 years. There was no change in the levels of rhinoviruses and RS viruses between the two age groups, defined as children aged <3 years and children aged ≥3 years. Serum concentrations of ECP, IL-5, and IP-10 were significantly elevated in virus-induced acute asthma cases compared with controls. Serum ECP values were significantly higher in patients with virus-induced asthma at age ≥3 years compared with those aged <3 years. Among the 27 cytokines/chemokines, serum IP-10 was significantly higher in virus-induced asthma in patients <3 years than in those ≥3 years. Serum ECP and IL-5 production correlated significantly with age, whereas serum IP-10 showed an inverse correlation with age.


CONCLUSIONS
Age-related differences in cytokine profiles and eosinophil activation may be related to virus-induced acute exacerbations of childhood asthma.
Department of Pediatrics, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan; Department of Allergy and Immunology, Gunma Children's Medical Center, Gunma, Japan. Electronic address: mkato@tokai-u.jp.
Masahiko
M
Kato
Department of Pediatrics, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.
Kazuo
K
Suzuki
Department of Allergy and Immunology, Gunma Children's Medical Center, Gunma, Japan.
Yoshiyuki
Y
Yamada
Department of Nephrology, Gunma Children's Medical Center, Gunma, Japan.
Kenichi
K
Maruyama
Gunma Red Cross Blood Center, Gunma, Japan.
Yasuhide
Y
Hayashi
Department of Pediatrics, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.
Hiroyuki
H
Mochizuki
D000367:Age Factors; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D018450:Disease Progression; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male
D016207:Cytokines; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein
Age; Asthma; Childhood; Cytokine; Virus detection