Anti-cockroach and anti-mouse IgE are associated with early wheeze and atopy in an inner-city birth cohort

Abstract

Background The relationships between cockroach and mouse allergen exposure, anti-cockroach and anti-mouse IgE, and wheeze, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis in children as young as age 3 years are of public health importance but have not been thoroughly evaluated. Objective We hypothesized that inner-city children might have anti-cockroach and anti-mouse IgE by age 3 years, and their presence would be associated with respiratory and atopic symptoms. Methods Children were followed prospectively from birth through age 3 years (n = 404). Residential levels of cockroach and mouse allergens, sera levels of anti-cockroach and anti-mouse IgE, and parental report of wheeze, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis were measured. Results The odds of early wheeze were significantly higher among children who had IgE to cockroach (odds ratio [OR], 3.3; 95% CI, 1.8-6.2), mouse (OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 2.3-9.0), or both (OR, 9.7; 95% CI, 3.4-27.3). The odds of rhinitis or atopic dermatitis were also higher among children with IgE to cockroach, mouse, or both. Higher IgE class to cockroach and mouse was associated with wheeze and atopic dermatitis (tests for trend, P < .002). Conclusions Children age 2 to 3 years who have anti-cockroach and anti-mouse IgE are at increased risk of wheeze and atopy. Moreover, a dose-response relationship was found between higher IgE class and increased prevalence of wheeze, rhinitis, or atopic dermatitis. These findings indicate the importance of reducing exposure to cockroach and mouse allergens for susceptible children.

The indoor environment and its effects on childhood asthma

“…Sensitization to mouse has been causally related to early wheeze in one cohort, suggesting that mouse allergy could increase the risk of developing asthma [57].…”

“…In inner-city populations, 60-80% of children with asthma are sensitized to cockroach [61,62], and in one suburban population, the sensitization rate was 21% [59]. Sensitization to cockroach allergen has been linked to the development of wheeze in young children [57]. Cockroach allergen has also been directly linked to poorer asthma outcomes in inner-city children with asthma, including increased asthma related healthcare utilization [62,63].…”

Role of mouse allergens in allergic disease

“…Mouse sensitization alone also is identifi ed as a risk factor for allergic airways disease in young children. In a New York City birth cohort study, 2-to 3-year-old children with mouse sensitization were at much greater risk of wheeze, rhinitis, and eczema than those without mouse sensitization [44]. Furthermore, the higher the mousespecifi c IgE level was, the greater the risk of wheeze and rhinitis.…”

Relationship between Abundance of Risk Factors and Prevalence of Asthma and Allergic Disease at South of Cairo

“…Total children aged 11-14 years old ( Range = 4 (11)(12)(13)(14), mean = 13 ± 0.8 ). Study was done on two different places at the same area with the same pollutions level.…”