The relationships among immunoglobulin levels, allergic sensitization, and viral respiratory illnesses in early childhood

• Published in: Pediatric allergy and immunology 2010-09, Vol.21 (6), p.990-996
• Main Authors: Possin, Michael E., Morgan, Stephanie, DaSilva, Douglas F., Tisler, Christopher, Pappas, Tressa E., Roberg, Kathy A., Anderson, Elizabeth, Evans, Michael D., Gangnon, Ronald, Lemanske, Robert F., Gern, James E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age of Onset; Allergens; Allergens - immunology; allergy; Atopic dermatitis; Biological and medical sciences; Child, Preschool; Children; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; General aspects; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Hypersensitivity - blood; Hypersensitivity - epidemiology; Hypersensitivity - immunology; IgA; IgE; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin A - blood; Immunoglobulin E; Immunoglobulin E - blood; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; infants; Male; Medical sciences; Prospective Studies; respiratory illnesses; Respiratory Tract Infections - blood; Respiratory Tract Infections - epidemiology; Respiratory Tract Infections - immunology; Risk Factors; Sarcoidosis. Granulomatous diseases of unproved etiology. Connective tissue diseases. Elastic tissue diseases. Vasculitis; Secretions; Virus Diseases - blood; Virus Diseases - epidemiology; Virus Diseases - immunology
• ISSN: 0905-6157; 1399-3038
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2010.01041.x

Possin ME, Morgan S, DaSilva DF, Tisler C, Pappas TE, Roberg KA, Anderson E, Evans MD, Gangnon R, Lemanske RF, Gern JE. The relationships among immunoglobulin levels, allergic sensitization, and viral respiratory illnesses in early childhood.
Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 990–996.
© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S IgE plays an essential role in type I allergy, however, there is less information about the relationship between other immunoglobulins (IgA and IgG) and atopic phenotypes in early childhood. We hypothesized that levels of circulating IgA in early childhood would be inversely related to the number of respiratory infections and the risk of becoming sensitized to allergens. Immunoglobulin levels were analyzed (ELISA) in plasma samples (IgG, IgA), and in nasal secretions (IgA) from children participating in a high‐risk birth cohort study. Samples were available from 264 children at age 2 yr and 257 children at age 4 yr, and results were compared to rates of respiratory illnesses, allergic sensitization, atopic dermatitis (AD), and asthma. Children who were sensitized to allergens had higher rather than lower levels of circulating IgA. A subgroup analysis showed that IgA levels were increased in relationship to foods sensitization (58 vs. 50 mg/dl, p = 0.003) but not aeroallergen sensitization (52 vs. 53 mg/dl, p = 0.11). IgA levels in the plasma correlated with levels of IgE levels (rs =0.19, p = 0.003). Levels of IgE, but not IgG or IgA, were positively correlated with rates of respiratory illnesses, AD, and the risk of developing asthma. Finally, there were no significant relationships between IgA in nasal secretions and infectious outcomes. In conclusion, low‐normal concentrations of plasma IgA are associated with a reduced prevalence of allergic sensitization in infancy. Further, levels of IgA and IgG in plasma within the range of normal, and IgA in nasal secretions, do not appear to influence the risk of subsequent respiratory illnesses. Further studies to define relationships between IgA and allergic sensitization are likely to provide new insights into the pathogenesis of allergic diseases in infancy.