Reported pertussis infection and risk of atopy in 8‐ to 12‐yr‐old vaccinated and non‐vaccinated children

Abstract

Pertussis infection has been suspected to be a potential causal factor in the development of atopic disease because of the effect of pertussis immunization on specific IgE antibodies. Although several studies found a positive association between pertussis infection and atopic disorders, this relationship has not yet been studied in a population stratified by vaccination status. To assess the association between pertussis infection and atopic disorders in pertussis-unvaccinated children and in pertussis-vaccinated children. Using data from a previously conducted study on the relationship between the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-(inactivated) poliomyelitis vaccination in the first year of life and atopic disorders, the study population of 1872 8-12 yr old was divided into children pertussis-unvaccinated and children pertussis-vaccinated in the first year of life. Within each group, the association between pertussis infection and atopic disorders (both as reported by the parents) was assessed. In the unvaccinated group, there were no significant associations between pertussis infection and atopic disorders. In the vaccinated group, all associations between pertussis infection and atopic disorders were positive, the associations with asthma [odds ratio (OR) = 2.24, 95% confidence interval (CI(95%)): 1.36-3.70], hay fever (OR = 2.35, CI(95%): 1.46-3.77) and food allergy (OR = 2.68, CI(95%): 1.48-4.85) being significant. There was a positive association between pertussis infection and atopic disorders in the pertussis vaccinated group only. From the present study, it cannot be concluded whether this association is causal or due to reverse causation.

Is there an association between microbial exposure and food allergy? A systematic review

“…Overall, no association was detected for measles or rubella infections, although parent‐reported rubella infection amongst those not vaccinated appeared protective (aOR 0.2 [0.1–0.8]) . In addition, there was a positive association with pertussis infection in children who received pertussis vaccination (cOR 2.7 [1.5–4.9]) although the authors grant this is counter‐intuitive and suggest it may reflect parental reporting bias .…”

Association of pertussis and measles infections and immunizations with asthma and allergic sensitization in ISAAC Phase Two

“…Bernsen et al. observed stronger associations of pertussis infection with asthma and hay fever among pertussis vaccinated children aged 8–12 yr. The biological mechanism for a relationship between pertussis infection and allergic disease is not clear .…”

“…Bernson et al. found positive associations of pertussis infection with hay fever and asthma, but not eczema in a cross‐sectional study among Dutch children. We observed a differential association by affluence status between pertussis infection and rhinoconjunctivitis.…”

“…We observed a differential association by affluence status between pertussis infection and rhinoconjunctivitis. So far, evidence for an association between pertussis infection and allergic disease comes mainly from affluent countries . In non‐affluent countries, residual confounding owing to other environmental conditions or health‐related events may have contributed to the stronger association between pertussis infection and rhinoconjunctivitis.…”

Bordetella species in children with cystic fibrosis: What do we know?

“…Suffering from pertussis rather than having pertussis antibodies seems to increase the risk of atopic disorders such as asthma, eczema or hay fever [20][21][22][23][24][25][26].…”