RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS-INFECTION - ITS ROLE IN AEROALLERGEN SENSITIZATION DURING THE FIRST 2 YEARS OF LIFE

Our aim was to study the influence of infection with the respiratory s yncytial virus (RSV) in non-hospitalized infants on sensitization to a eroallergens and the early manifestation of atopy. Six hundert and nin e infants from the prospective German Multicenter Cohort Study on Atop y were included, 38% of whom had an elevated atopic risk. RSV IgG and IgM antibodies were tested by ELISA with gradient purified RSV antigen . Specific IgE against mites, cat dandruff, birch and grass pollens an d relevant nutritional antigens were tested with CAP-RAST-FEIA (Pharma cia, Sweden). Of the cord sera 99% were positive for RSV-IgG, 44.7% at one year and 64.2% (n=265) at two years of age. The positivity rate a fter 12 months varied with the season of birth, the number of siblings and the degree of exposure to tobacco smoke; and correlated closely w ith attacks of wheezing during infancy. Twenty (2.8%) children were fo und to be sensitized against at least one aeroallergen at one year, an d 28 (10.5%) at two years. By the first birthday, mite sensitization ( n=3) could only be seen in the RSV-infected children; grass pollen sen sitization (n=9) was associated with RSV seropositivity (logistic regr ession model including the confounders mentioned above: with RSV IgG < p=0.048> and IgM <p=0.0006>), as was birch sensitization (n=5) with RS V IgM (p=0.009). No such differences could be detected at two years. N o correlation of RSV seropositivity to any allergic manifestation coul d be found. We conclude, that it is only in the first year of life, th at RSV infection plays a significant role in promoting sensitization a gainst aeroallergens, which do not at this time produce allergic sympt oms.