A comparison of the development of antibody responses to the polysaccharide antigen (Candida albicans mannan) in atopic and healthy infants and children.

Abstract

Defective antibody response against bacterial polysaccharide antigens is known to be associated with recurrent pyogenic infections. The role of childhood allergy as a risk factor for repeated infections with capsulated micro-organisms has been controversial. To compare the development of polysaccharide specific antibody responses in atopic and healthy infants and children. The antibody responses against a common polysaccharide antigen, Candida albicans mannan, were studied longitudinally in 18 atopic and 19 non-atopic children over the first 5 years of life. Determinations of IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies were carried out by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and IgE antibodies by nitrocellulose-based radioallergosorbent test. The polysaccharide specific antibody responses were similar in both groups, except that anti-mannan IgM levels were higher at 5 years in the atopic children (P < 0.05, student's t-test). Atopic children are not more susceptible to bacterial infections on the basis of poorer ability to produce antibodies against polysaccharide antigens.