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Analysis of Pulmonary Dendritic Cell Maturation and Migration during Allergic Airway Inflammation
07:52

Analysis of Pulmonary Dendritic Cell Maturation and Migration during Allergic Airway Inflammation

Published on: July 23, 2012

Development of allergy in children. I. Association with virus infections

O L Frick, D F German, J Mills

    The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
    |April 1, 1979
    PubMed

    Insights

    Children with allergic parents face high allergy risks. Viral infections, like upper respiratory infections (URI), may trigger allergic sensitization in these children, suggesting a link between viruses and allergy development.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatrics
    • Immunology
    • Environmental Health

    Background:

    • Children with two allergic parents have a high risk of developing allergies within the first five years of life.
    • External factors influencing the allergic sensitization process require further investigation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To prospectively observe clinical and immunological changes in high-risk children.
    • To identify potential external factors contributing to allergic sensitization.

    Main Methods:

    • A prospective study of 13 children from allergic families.
    • Serial clinical and immunological observations at 3-6 month intervals over 1-4 years.
    • Immunological assessments included RAST, leukocyte histamine release, lymphoblastogenesis, and serum IgE levels.

    Main Results:

    • Eleven of the 13 children developed clinical allergies, with 5 diagnosed with asthma.
    • Immunological evidence of allergic sensitization was found in these 11 children.
    • Upper respiratory infections (URI) preceded allergic sensitization by 1-2 months in 10 children.
    • Increased complement-fixing antibodies to viruses (parainfluenza, RSV, CMV) coincided with the onset of allergic sensitization.

    Conclusions:

    • Certain viruses may play a role in the allergic sensitization process in genetically predisposed children.
    • The timing of URI and viral antibody increases suggests a potential viral contribution to allergy development.

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