Abstract

Objective: It has been shown that many children who experience respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in infancy develop recurrent wheezing episodes and asthma later. Viral role in pathogenesis of asthma is still a debate. We aimed to investigate the recurrence of wheezing episodes, atopy and serum cytokine levels in children encountered with RSV infection. Additionally, we aimed to compare these parameters in children with non-RSV bronchiolitis. Material and Methods: The study was conducted between January 2006 and November 2008 in Dokuz Eylul University hospital. Seventy children aged between 0-36 months who were diagnosed with acute bronchiolitis for the first time were recruited for the study. Nasopharyngeal lavage fluid was analyzed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for RSV antigen in all patients. Serum immunoglobulin E, total eosinophil count, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13 and ?-interferon (IFN-?) levels were obtained at the last examination of the patients after a follow up period of 1-3 years. Results: Recurrence of a wheezing episode was observed in 35% and 53.3% of the patients in RSV group and non-RSV group, respectively (p= 0.064). Mean serum IFN-? and IL-4 levels were detected to be significantly higher in non-RSV group. No significant relation was detected between recurrence of wheezing episodes and total eosinophil count, serum IgE, IL-4, IL-13, and IFN-? levels. Conclusion: No difference could be detected between RSV and non-RSV bronchiolitis regarding subsequent wheezing episodes. Although serum IL-4 and IFN-? levels were higher in non-RSV bronchiolitis group, no significant correlation was observed between these parameters and recurrence of wheezing episodes.

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