Abstract
Study design: In the German multicenter allergy study (MAS) RSV serum antibodies (ab) (ELISA with purified Long strain virus) were measured at birth (n= 1153), one year (n=618), and two years (n=267), respectively. Specific sensitization against 8 common inhalant and food allergens was determined by CAP-RAST (Pharmacia, Sveden).
Results: The amount of cord blood RSV ab was not influenced by parental atopy, smoking during pregnancy, season of birth, nor cord blood IgE. At one year, RSV ab were present in about 50% of sera. The prevalence was positively correlated with the season of birth (p < 0.001), incidence of wheezing (0.008) and smoking in the family (p = 0.002). No such influence could be observed at the age of two years. RSV seropositivity was not associated with the amount of total serum IgE.
RSV-IgM at one year was correlated with sensitization against inhalant allergens at one year (n=20, p=0.001 on the basis of CAP values) but not with sensitization against food allergens. Stratification for season of birth, incidence of wheezing, and passive smoking revealed no effect of these confounders. Neither RSV-IgG at one year, nor IgG or IgM at two years correlated with the incidence of sensitization.
Conclusion: RSV-infection has a minor role in facilitating sensitization against aeroallergens. Its main effect could be observed in the second half year of life.
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Forster, J., Facke, U., Werchau, H. et al. 312 Allergic sensitization during the first two years of life is partially influenced by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Pediatr Res 36, 54 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199407000-00312
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199407000-00312
