Rhinovirus-induced wheeze was associated with asthma development in predisposed children

AIM

This study explored whether early-life factors, such as rhinovirus-induced wheeze and allergic sensitisation, were related to asthma at 11 years of age.

METHODS

We focused on 107 children aged 6-48 months, who attended the paediatric emergency department at Astrid Lindgren's Children's Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, with acute wheeze in 2008-2012. They also attended follow-up visits at 11 years of age and were compared with 46 age-matched healthy controls. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated with logistic regression.

RESULTS

We found that 62.6% of the acute wheeze cases had asthma at 11 years of age. Rhinoviruses at inclusion were the only common airway viruses associated with an increased asthma risk (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.02-5.6). Other increased risks were parental heredity for asthma and/or allergies (adjusted OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1-9.9) and allergic sensitisation at 2 years of age (adjusted OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.02-8.7). The highest prevalence of asthma was when children had both rhinovirus-induced wheeze at inclusion and allergic sensitisation at 7 years of age.

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight the importance of hereditary factors and allergic sensitisation on the development of asthma and suggest that rhinoviruses are associated with asthma development in predisposed children.

Prediction of adult asthma risk in early childhood using novel adult asthma predictive risk scores

BACKGROUND

Numerous risk scores have been developed to predict childhood asthma. However, they may not predict asthma beyond childhood. We aim to create childhood risk scores that predict development and persistence of asthma up to young adult life.

METHODS

The Isle of Wight Birth Cohort (n = 1456) was prospectively assessed up to 26 years of age. Asthma predictive scores were developed based on factors during the first 4 years, using logistic regression and tested for sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) for prediction of asthma at (i) 18 and (ii) 26 years, and persistent asthma (PA) (iii) at 10 and 18 years, and (iv) at 10, 18 and 26 years. Models were internally and externally validated.

RESULTS

Four models were generated for prediction of each asthma outcome. ASthma PredIctive Risk scorE (ASPIRE)-1: a 2-factor model (recurrent wheeze [RW] and positive skin prick test [+SPT] at 4 years) for asthma at 18 years (sensitivity: 0.49, specificity: 0.80, AUC: 0.65). ASPIRE-2: a 3-factor model (RW, +SPT and maternal rhinitis) for asthma at 26 years (sensitivity: 0.60, specificity: 0.79, AUC: 0.73). ASPIRE-3: a 3-factor model (RW, +SPT and eczema at 4 years) for PA-18 (sensitivity: 0.63, specificity: 0.87, AUC: 0.77). ASPIRE-4: a 3-factor model (RW, +SPT at 4 years and recurrent chest infection at 2 years) for PA-26 (sensitivity: 0.68, specificity: 0.87, AUC: 0.80). ASPIRE-1 and ASPIRE-3 scores were replicated externally. Further assessments indicated that ASPIRE-1 can be used in place of ASPIRE-2-4 with same predictive accuracy.

CONCLUSION

ASPIRE predicts persistent asthma up to young adult life.

Early life exposures and development of allergic disease in infants with familial risk: Results from ongoing probiotic intervention trials

AIM

We search revision of risk determinants of the ongoing allergy epidemic.

METHODS

Children numbering 433 born to mothers with allergic disease or sensitisation were selected from the three ongoing probiotic intervention trials for this case-control study. Children who developed atopic eczema or food allergy, had positive skinprick test results or had been prescribed inhaled corticosteroids by the age of 2 years were identified as cases (n = 231), while children without allergic manifestations were the healthy controls (n = 202). The data on early environmental exposures were collected from prospectively documented study records. The statistical analyses were adjusted for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Determinants associated with the increased risk of atopic eczema were lower maternal prepregnancy BMI (aOR 0.15, 95% CI: 0.037-0.54) and maternal intrapartum antibiotic treatment (aOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.20-4.10), the latter also linked to obstructive respiratory symptoms (aOR 3.87, 95% CI 1.07-14.06). The risk of allergic sensitisation was associated with lower maternal prepegnancy BMI (aOR 0.18, 95% CI 0.43-0.79) and intrapartum antibiotic treatment (aOR 2.13, 95% CI 1.07-4.22).

CONCLUSION

Based on our demonstrations, interventions such as personalised diets, can be optimised for specific subgroups and definite risk periods.

Immunohistochemical and Histopathological Features of Persistent Gingival Enlargement in Relation to Metal Allergic Sensitisation during Orthodontic Treatment

This study aimed to analyse the immunohistochemical profile of inflammatory infiltrates in the gingival tissue of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment in relation to patients’ titanium and/or nickel allergy status. Patients with gingival enlargement received initial periodontal therapy, followed by external gingivectomy in the case of persistent gingival enlargement. The sample included 44 patients (22 had metal allergic sensitisation). Histopathological changes were assessed, and an immunohistochemical analysis was performed on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded gingival samples using antibodies against CD1a, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD68, and CD138. Computer-assisted image analysis was performed to evaluate the positive cell count in the gingival tissue. The gingiva of the sensitised patients was characterised by the absence of multifocal inflammatory infiltrates (p < 0.05), while pronounced exocytosis and band-like inflammatory infiltrates were more frequently observed in sensitised patients. In addition, there was an increase in Langerhans cells and T-helper lymphocytes and a decrease in naïve T-lymphocytes, cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, macrophages, and plasma cells in the sensitised subjects compared to non-sensitised. However, the differences were only statistically significant for macrophages, with a moderate effect size (82.8 vs. 133.9; p = 0.041; r = 0.308). The absence of multifocal inflammation appears to be the most characteristic histopathological feature of the gingiva of sensitised patients. Although their gingiva presented certain characteristics of late hypersensitivity immune reactions the observed changes imply dominant irritative effect e.

Influences on indoor environmental trigger remediation uptake for children and young people with asthma: A scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Children and young people (CYP) with asthma can benefit from reduced exposure to indoor environmental allergens and triggers but may not consistently have avoidance strategies implemented. To inform future interventions to increase trigger and allergen avoidance and enhance asthma control, a greater understanding of the influences on avoidance behaviours is necessary.

METHODS

A systematic scoping review was selected to summarize evidence on what influences family uptake of indoor environmental asthma trigger avoidance strategies for CYP with asthma and identify research gaps. Primary studies of any design, including CYP (≤18 years) with asthma, and/or parent-carers, available in English and conducted since 1993, were eligible. Searches included nine databases, hand-searching reference lists and citation searching.

FINDINGS

Thirty-three articles were included and are summarized narratively due to heterogeneity. Influences appear complex and multifactorial and include barriers to strategy uptake, health beliefs and personal motivation. Research specifically related to family understanding of allergic sensitisation status and exposure risks, and how these may inform avoidance implementation is required. Patient and public involvement (PPI) was not reported in included articles, although two studies used participatory methods.

CONCLUSION

There is limited research on family asthma trigger management, particularly what influences current management behaviours. Variation in families' ability to identify important triggers, understand exposure risk and consistently reduce exposures warrants further exploratory research to explain how families reach avoidance decisions, and what future interventions should aim to address. Further PPI-informed research to address such gaps, could enable theory-based, person-centred interventions to improve the uptake of asthma trigger remediation.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

An asthma-specific PPI group contributed to the decision-making for the funding for the wider project this review sits within. The findings of this scoping review have informed the subsequent phases of the project, and this was discussed with PPI groups (both adult and CYP groups) when proposing the next phases of the project.

Associations of early-life pet ownership with asthma and allergic sensitization: a meta-analysis of >77,000 children from the EU Child Cohort Network

BACKGROUND

Studies examining associations of early-life cat and dog ownership with childhood asthma have reported inconsistent results. Several factors could explain these inconsistencies, including type of pet, timing and degree of exposure.

OBJECTIVE

To study associations of early-life cat and dog ownership with school-age asthma, including the role of type (cat versus dog), timing (never, prenatal or early childhood) and degree (number) of ownership, and the role of allergic sensitisation.

METHODS

We used harmonised data from 77,434 mother-child dyads aged 5-11 years from nine birth cohorts in the EU Child Cohort Network. Associations were examined through the DataSHIELD platform using adjusted logistic regression models, fitted separately for each cohort and combined using random-effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Early-life cat and dog ownership ranged between 12-45% and 7-47% respectively, and prevalence of asthma between 2-20%. There was no overall association between either cat or dog ownership and asthma (OR: 0.97 (95% CI: 0.87-1.09) and 0.92 (0.85-1.01), respectively). Timing and degree of ownership did not strongly influence associations. Cat and dog ownership were also not associated with cat- and dog-specific allergic sensitisation (OR: 0.92 (0.75-1.13) and 0.93 (0.57-1.54), respectively). However, cat- and dog-specific allergic sensitisation were strongly associated with school-age asthma (OR: 6.69 (4.91-9.10) and 5.98 (3.14-11.36), respectively). There was also some indication of an interaction between ownership and sensitisation, suggesting that ownership may exacerbate the risks associated with pet-specific sensitisation, but offer some protection against asthma in the absence of sensitisation.

CONCLUSION

Our findings do not support early-life cat and dog ownership in themselves increasing the risk of school-age asthma, but suggest that ownership may potentially exacerbate the risks associated with cat- and dog-specific allergic sensitisation.

Allergic sensitisation did not affect bronchial hyper-responsiveness in children without respiratory tract symptoms

AIM

The potential for immunotherapy to prevent asthma development has become a hot topic. This prompted us to revisit data from an early study that examined allergic sensitisation on bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in children with and without respiratory symptoms. Unlike previous studies, it used both indirect and direct test methods.

METHODS

The study was conducted in Kuopio, Finland, in 1994 and 247 children (55.1% boys) with a mean age 10.5 ± 1.7 years were recruited using a school survey: 165 with lower respiratory symptoms and 82 healthy controls. Each child underwent a 6-min free-running test and a methacholine test with a cumulative dose of 4900 µg. All participants underwent skin-prick tests: 127were sensitised and 120 were non-sensitised.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in lung function between the sensitised and non-sensitised children. However, sensitisation was associated with BHR which was measured by both the methacholine test (2400 µg versus >4900 µg, p < 0.001) and the free-running test (-3.5% versus -2.6%, p = 0.042). No such differences were observed among the healthy controls. Sensitisation was a predictor of allergic diseases, and only multisensitisation to a minimum of four allergens increased the incidence of asthma.

CONCLUSION

Allergic sensitisation did not affect BHR in children without respiratory symptoms.

Allergic rhinitis and allergic sensitisation are still increasing among Danish adults

BACKGROUND

Only a limited number of studies have included objective measures of allergic sensitisation (such as skin-prick test [SPT] and serum specific IgE [sIgE]) when studying time trends in allergic respiratory disease in adults within the current millennium.

METHODS

Five health examination studies of random samples of individuals aged 18-69 years resident in the Copenhagen region were conducted in 1990-1991, 2006-2008, 2010-2011, 2012-2015, and 2016-2017. Allergic sensitisation was defined by sIgE (in 1990-1991, 2006-2008, and, 2012-2015) or SPT (in 2006-2008, 2010-2011, and 2016-2017) to at least one of the allergens: birch, grass, house dust mite, or cat. Allergic rhinitis was defined as sensitisation and self-reported nasal symptoms.

RESULTS

The age- and sex-standardised prevalence of sIgE-defined sensitisation increased from 16% in 1990-1991, to 26% in 2006-2008, and to 29% in 2012-2015. The age- and sex-standardised prevalence of SPT-defined sensitisation increased from 27% in 2006-2008, to 28% in 2010-2011, and to 32% in 2016-2017. Changes in sIgE-defined and SPT-defined allergic rhinitis showed similar increasing trends.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of allergic sensitisation and allergic rhinitis increased in a general adult Danish population over the last three decades and has thus continued to increase in the current millennium.

Consensus document on dog and cat allergy

The prevalence of sensitization to dogs and cats varies by country, exposure time and predisposition to atopy. It is estimated that 26% of European adults coming to the clinic for suspected allergy to inhalant allergens are sensitized to cats and 27% to dogs. This document is intended to be a useful tool for clinicians involved in the management of people with dog or cat allergy. It was prepared from a consensus process based on the RAND/UCLA method. Following a literature review, it proposes various recommendations concerning the diagnosis and treatment of these patients, grounded in evidence and clinical experience. The diagnosis of dog and cat allergy is based on a medical history and physical examination that are consistent with each other and is confirmed with positive results on specific IgE skin tests. Sometimes, especially in polysensitized patients, molecular diagnosis is strongly recommended. Although the most advisable measure would be to avoid the animal, this is often impossible and associated with a major emotional impact. Furthermore, indirect exposure to allergens occurs in environments in which animals are not present. Immunotherapy is emerging as a potential solution to this problem, although further supporting studies are needed.

Risk factors associated with allergic sensitization and asthma phenotypes among poultry farm workers

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the risk factors for occupational allergic sensitization and various asthma phenotypes in poultry-workers.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 230 workers used a modified ECRHS questionnaire, spirometry, FeNO, Phadiatop, and sIgE to poultry farming related allergens.

RESULTS

Worker's mean age was 37 ± 9 years, 68% male, 43% current-smokers, 34% atopic, and 5% casual-workers. The prevalence of non-atopic asthma (NAA = 7%) was higher than atopic-asthma (AA = 5%) and probable allergic occupational-asthma (OA = 3%). Sensitization to at least one poultry farming related allergen was 24%. Workers sensitized to chicken-specific-allergens were more likely to be atopic (OR_unadj  = 20.9, 95%CI: 4.7-93.2) or employed as casual-workers (OR_unadj  = 6.0, 95%CI: 1.1-35.9). Work-related chest symptoms were associated the rearing-department (OR_adj  = 3.2, 95%CI: 1.2-8.4) and exposure to high gas/dust/fumes (OR_adj  = 4.8, 95%CI: 2.4-9.5). Airflow reversibility (OR_adj  = 10.9, 95%CI: 2.0-60.3) was significantly associated with casual-work status.

CONCLUSION

Allergic and non-allergic mechanisms play a role in asthma development among poultry-workers with casual workers demonstrating increased risk.

Haemoglobin concentrations in pregnancy and respiratory and allergic outcomes in childhood: Birth cohort study

Background

Limited epidemiological evidence suggests that low maternal iron status and anaemia in pregnancy may increase the risk of childhood respiratory and allergic outcomes.

Objectives

To investigate the relation between maternal haemoglobin concentrations in pregnancy and childhood respiratory and allergic outcomes.

Methods

In the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), we examined associations of maternal haemoglobin concentrations (g/dL) in pregnancy with hayfever, eczema, wheezing, doctor‐diagnosed asthma, allergic sensitisation and total IgE at 7 years, and with lung function at 8‐9 years in the offspring, after controlling for potential confounders (N = 3234‐5335).

Results

Maternal haemoglobin was not associated with offspring hayfever, eczema, wheezing or asthma. However, the first haemoglobin measurement in pregnancy (<18 weeks' gestation) and the last measurement (>28 weeks' gestation) were negatively associated with allergic sensitisation (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI] per g/dL 0.91 [0.83 to 0.99] and 0.90 [0.83 to 0.98], respectively). The last haemoglobin measurement was also negatively associated with total IgE (adjusted geometric mean ratio 0.94 [0.88 to 0.99]). Anaemia (haemoglobin <11 g/dL) in late pregnancy was negatively associated with forced vital capacity (difference in standard deviation score −0.07 [−0.13 to −0.01]).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Lower maternal haemoglobin in pregnancy may be a risk factor for allergic sensitisation, elevated IgE and lower FVC in childhood, which may reflect effects of lower prenatal iron status. However, maternal haemoglobin was not associated with risk of childhood asthma or other allergic disorders.

The relationship between maternal adiposity and infant weight gain, and childhood wheeze and atopy

BACKGROUND

Obesity and asthma have increased in westernised countries. Maternal obesity may increase childhood asthma risk. If this relation is causal, it may be mediated through factors associated with maternal adiposity, such as fetal development, pregnancy complications or infant adiposity. We investigated the relationships of maternal body mass index (BMI) and fat mass with childhood wheeze, and examined the influences of infant weight gain and childhood obesity.

METHODS

Maternal prepregnancy BMI and estimated fat mass (from skinfold thicknesses) were related to asthma, wheeze and atopy in 940 children. Transient or persistent/late wheeze was classified using questionnaire data collected at ages 6, 12, 24 and 36 months and 6 years. At 6 years, skin-prick testing was conducted and exhaled nitric oxide and spirometry measured. Infant adiposity gain was calculated from skinfold thickness at birth and 6 months.

RESULTS

Greater maternal BMI and fat mass were associated with increased childhood wheeze (relative risk (RR) 1.08 per 5 kg/m(2), p=0.006; RR 1.09 per 10 kg, p=0.003); these reflected associations with transient wheeze (RR 1.11, p=0.003; RR 1.13, p=0.002, respectively), but not with persistent wheeze or asthma. Infant adiposity gain was associated with persistent wheeze, but not significantly. Adjusting for infant adiposity gain or BMI at 3 or 6 years did not reduce the association between maternal adiposity and transient wheeze. Maternal adiposity was not associated with offspring atopy, exhaled nitric oxide, or spirometry.

DISCUSSION

Greater maternal adiposity is associated with transient wheeze but not asthma or atopy, suggesting effects upon airway structure/function but not allergic predisposition.