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Inverse association between Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and atopic rhinitis in children

C C Obihara1, N Beyers, R P Gie

  • 1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Centre for TB Research and Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Allergy
|August 4, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection appears to decrease atopic rhinitis prevalence in children. This finding suggests a potential link between TB infection and reduced allergic rhinitis in high-incidence areas.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases Epidemiology
  • Public Health Research

Background:

  • The relationship between Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection and atopy is debated.
  • Understanding this association is crucial for public health in high TB incidence regions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between MTB infection and atopic rhinitis in children.
  • Focus on children residing in an area with high tuberculosis (TB) incidence.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 418 children (aged 6-14) in a resource-limited urban community.
  • Assessed allergic rhinitis (ISAAC questionnaire), tuberculin skin test (TST), environmental allergen skin prick tests (SPT), BCG scar, intestinal parasites, and IgE levels.
  • Atopic rhinitis defined by WAO criteria: reported allergic rhinitis plus positive SPT (> or =3 mm).

Main Results:

  • 10.4% of 337 enrolled children had allergic rhinitis; 17.5% had positive SPT; 53% had positive TST (> or =10 mm).
  • Children with positive TST were significantly less likely to have recent atopic rhinitis (aOR 0.06).
  • Positive SPTs were more common in children with negative TST and allergic rhinitis (aOR 34.0), but not in those with positive TST and allergic rhinitis (aOR 0.6).

Conclusions:

  • MTB infection may reduce the prevalence of atopic rhinitis in children.
  • MTB infection influences skin prick test reactivity in children with allergic rhinitis in high TB incidence settings.
Abstract

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