engleski

Low levels of immunoglobulin A in children with intrinsic asthma: a possible protection against atopy

Immunoglobulins A and G (IgA, IgG) serum concentrations were determined in children with nonallergic/intrinsic (36 children) or allergic/extrinsic asthma (43 children) and in age-matched control children (40 children). Asthmatic children with allergic asthma had lower IgA (1.36 +/- 0.54 g/L) and higher IgG (10.48 +/- 2.77 g/L) levels than age-matched control children group (1.63 +/- 0.69 vs. 9.01 +/- 2.32 g/L). Children with nonallergic/intrinsic asthma had lower IgA (1.03 +/- 0.41 g/L)(p=0.004) and IgG (8.38 +/- 1.93 g/L)(p=0.001) levels than the allergic/extrinsic asthma group (1.36 +/- 0.54 vs.10.48 +/- 2.77 g/L). Low IgA levels were found in children having nonallergic/intrinsic asthma and high IgG levels in those having allergic/extrinsic childhood asthma. A hypothesis is proposed that the increased incidence of asthma in population may be caused by decrease in childhood infections (hygiene hypothesis). Frequent infections in early life are especially relevant for the skewing of the immune system towards a Th1-type response in young children and this might protect against atopic diseases. Our hypothesis is that low IgA (and/or IgG) levels in our patients may account for the susceptibility of those children with nonallergic/intrinsic asthma to infections. These infections stimulate the normal development of immune system in young children, they prevent skewing to atopy, so that those children do not get allergic/extrinsic childhood asthma.

childhood asthma; immunoglobulins; frequent infections; atopy

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