Correlation between Epstein Barr virus antibodies, serum IgE and atopic disease

Abstract

It is currently accepted that viral infections may influence the development of atopy. In the present study we evaluated serum IgE levels as well as the prevalence of symptoms indicative of atopic disease and EBV antibodies in 353 children aged from 1 month to 19 years. Antibodies against EBV were detected by immunofluorescence. IgE levels in serum were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Dividing the study population according to EBV seropositivity and age, we noted that the prevalence of high IgE levels (> 2 s.d.) was, in total, more frequent in the EBV negative (32.9%) than in the positive subjects (27.6%). Interestingly, this higher prevalence was found only in the groups aged under six, especially in the 7 to 29 month group, where it was statistically significant (p=0.037), whereas in the 6-19 year group the situation was reversed. Furthermore, selecting only the atopic children younger than 3 years of age with high IgE levels and clinical symptoms of atopy (wheezing and/or dermatitis) it was possible to demonstrate lower EBV seropositivity compared with the normal IgE controls for each group, even though these differences were not statistically significant. In conclusion, the results of our study suggest that, in our selected population, EBV infection in the first years of life is associated with a lower prevalence of high IgE levels.

Environmental risk factors and their role in the management of atopic dermatitis

“…The protective effects may be related to exposure to manure and microbial exposure in the home [68,69]. Several different pathogens have been suggested to have a protective role against AD and atopy in general, including bacterial endotoxins, helminthes, herpesviridae, farm animals, dogs, unpasteurized milk, and the abundant infectious exposures of early day care [70][71][72][73][74]. Silverberg et al found that a single episode of wild-type varicellazoster virus (chickenpox) infection in the first 8-10 years of life was inversely associated with subsequently developing AD [73], as well as long-term decreased serum IgE levels, peripheral blood lymphocyte, monocyte, and basophil counts [75].…”

Association between varicella zoster virus infection and atopic dermatitis in early and late childhood: A case-control study

“…24 Moreover, both runny nose and herpes-type viral infections, including varicella, herpes (zoster, febrilis, labialis), exanthema subitum, and stomatitis, are associated with decreased risk of asthma at school age. 27 This is in contrast to the proallergy and asthma effects seen with other respiratory viral infections such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which can induce a virus-specific IgE response.…”

“…Moreover, previous studies demonstrated decreased atopic disease after WTVZV infection. [24][25][26][27]40 AD and the aforementioned atopic disorders constitute major public health and economic burdens. Previous studies using cost-effectiveness models have suggested that widespread varicella vaccination programs in childhood are cost-effective compared with the financial burden of WTVZV infection and its complications.…”

“…Several studies have explained the hygiene hypothesis based on the observations that T H 1 responses induced by microbial infections can counterbalance allergen-induced T H 2 responses. [21][22][23] Certain childhood viral infections are associated with lower IgE levels, 24,25 decreased IgE sensitization, 26 and asthma. 27 However, several studies have demonstrated no AD protective effects with some childhood infections, such as measles, actually increasing risk of AD.…”

Early-life EBV infection protects against persistent IgE sensitization

“…4,7 Infections with EBVand cytomegalovirus have previously been implicated in influencing allergic disorders, but their precise role remains controversial. Some studies have suggested allergyprotective 8,9 or allergy-promoting 10-12 effects, whereas others could not demonstrate a clear role for EBV or cytomegalovirus in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders. 13,14 A previous study from our group showed an inverse relation between EBV infection and IgE sensitization in a cohort of Swedish 2-year-old infants.…”