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Atopy in HIV-infected children in Pretoria

R Masekela1, T Moodley, N Mahlaba

  • 1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Pretoria. refiloe.masekela@up.ac.za

South African Medical Journal = Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Geneeskunde
|March 12, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in children did not correlate with atopy development. However, HIV-infected children showed higher rates of dermatitis and chronic rhinitis, suggesting non-atopic origins for these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Immunology

Background:

  • The relationship between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and atopy in children remains under-investigated in South Africa.
  • While some international studies suggest a higher prevalence of atopy in HIV-infected adults, data for children is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of atopy in children with HIV in South Africa.
  • To determine if the stage of HIV disease influences the development or expression of allergic conditions.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study enrolled 50 HIV-infected children and 50 age- and sex-matched HIV-negative controls.
  • Data collected included personal/family history of atopy, HIV staging (WHO and CDC), CD4 counts, and skin prick tests (SPTs) for aeroallergens.
  • Children attended the Tshwane District Hospital Paediatric HIV Clinic in Pretoria.

Main Results:

  • Ten percent of HIV-infected children and 16% of controls had positive SPTs.
  • HIV-infected children exhibited higher percentages of chronic rhinitis (60%) and eczema (68%).
  • No significant relationship was found between CD4 count and positive SPTs, asthma, or dermatitis, nor between CD4 count and family history of atopy.

Conclusions:

  • The stage of HIV disease does not appear to influence the development or manifestation of allergies in children.
  • A high prevalence of dermatitis and chronic rhinitis is observed in HIV-infected children, likely due to non-atopic factors.
Abstract

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