Abstract
AbstractPeripheral blood eosinophils, nasal eosinophils, serum immunoglobulin G,A,M,E, allergic skin tests, RAST tests, viral antibody and secretory IgA levels were studied in one hundred asthmatic children who had had their first asthma attack before 24 months of age.Viral and bacterial infections were detected in 26 of 79 episodes of attacks. Parainfluenza was most frequently associated, and next in frequency were respiratory syncycial virus, mycoplasma pneumoniae and measles. The serum IgE and IgM level was higher than the normal range for age.In 16.9% serum IgA showed a lower level than in normal children. The allergic skin test by scratch method was positive in 47.6% to egg white, 39.7% to house dust, 44.1% to Dermatophagoides farinae. The RAST test showed similar results.Secretory IgA in saliva was examined by the method of enzyme linked immunoassay. Secretory IgA in infants with egg allergy was lower than in normal healthy children. The predisposition to the development of atopic disease with, maturationally related decreases in secretory IgA could be explained by the ingress of allergic materials.
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