Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Childhood infections and risk of wheezing and allergic sensitisation at age 7–8 years

  • Respiratory Epidemiology
  • Published:
European Journal of Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background: Childhood atopic disease has been associated with exposure to infections early in life. There is however considerable controversy on this issue, since evidence exists for both protective and adverse effects of infections. Aim of this study was to investigate the association between childhood infections and the occurrence of wheeze and allergic sensitisation in 7–8-year-old Dutch and German children. Methods: A nested case–control study was conducted among German and Dutch children participating in a large longitudinal study on respiratory health. Parents of 510 7–8-year-old children with respiratory complaints and an equal number of children without respiratory complaints were asked to complete a questionnaire. Blood samples were collected for specific serum Immunoglobulin E (IgE) analysis. Data on childhood infections were collected through records of the participating Municipal Health Services. Results: No association was found between recent wheeze and any of the childhood infections investigated. For scarlet fever infection an increased risk of allergic sensitisation (OR: 2.82; 95% CI: 1.40–5.72) and sensitisation against grasses (OR: 3.00; 95% CI: 1.35–6.69) at the age of 7–8 years was found. Varicella infection tended towards increased risk of sensitisation against grasses (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 0.99–3.58). For allergic sensitisation and sensitisation against grasses the odds ratios increased with increasing number of infections. Conclusions: The results do not lend support to the suggestion that childhood infection protects against wheezing or allergic sensitisation at age 7–8 years. Scarlet fever or varicella infection presented an increased risk of allergic sensitisation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

BCG:

bacille Calmette Guerin

CI:

confidence interval

HDM:

house dust mite

Hib:

Haemophilus influenza type b

IgE:

Immunoglobulin E

ISAAC:

International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood

MMR:

measles, mumps, rubella

OR:

odds ratio

RSV:

respiratory syncytial virus

Th:

T-helper

WHO:

World Health Organisation

References

  • DP Strachan (1989) ArticleTitleHay fever, hygiene, and household size. Br Med J 299 1259–1260 Occurrence Handle10.1136/bmj.299.6710.1259 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK3c7gsFyhsA%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • TM Ball JA Castro-Rodriguez KA Griffith CJ Holberg FD Martinez AL Wright (2000) ArticleTitleSiblings, day-care attendance, and the risk of asthma and wheezing during childhood. N Engl J Med 343 538–543 Occurrence Handle10.1056/NEJM200008243430803 Occurrence Handle10954761 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3cvitF2qtQ%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • U Kramer J Heinrich M Wjst HE Wichmann (1999) ArticleTitleAge of entry to day nursery and allergy in later childhood. Lancet 353 450–454 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0140-6736(98)06329-6 Occurrence Handle9989715 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1M7kt1yhsw%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • H Renz Mutius E von S Illi F Wolkers T Hirsch SK Weiland (2002) ArticleTitleTH1/TH2 immune response profiles differ between atopic children in eastern and western Germany. J Allerg Clin Immunol 109 338–342 Occurrence Handle10.1067/mai.2002.121459 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XitFGqur0%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • A Sheikh L Smeeth R Hubbard (2003) ArticleTitleThere is no evidence of an inverse relationship between TH2-mediated atopy and TH1-mediated autoimmune disorders: Lack of support for the hygiene hypothesis. J Allerg Clin Immunol 111 131–135 Occurrence Handle10.1067/mai.2003.8 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXht1Wrt70%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • PJ Openshaw C Hewitt (2000) ArticleTitleProtective and harmful effects of viral infections in childhood on wheezing disorders and asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 162 S40–S43 Occurrence Handle10934132 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3cvjtlCksQ%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • N Sigurs R Bjarnason F Sigurbergsson B Kjellman (2000) ArticleTitleRespiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in infancy is an important risk factor for asthma and allergy at age 7. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 161 1501–1507 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c3mvVSmtA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10806145

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • S Illi Mutius E von S Lau et al. (2001) ArticleTitleEarly childhood infectious diseases and the development of asthma up to school age: a birth cohort study. Br Med J 322 390–395 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M7lvVeitg%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • H Renz U Herz (2002) ArticleTitleThe bidirectional capacity of bacterial antigens to modulate allergy and asthma. Eur Respir J 19 158–171 Occurrence Handle10.1183/09031936.02.00254202 Occurrence Handle11843315 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XhtlGktb0%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hertzen L von T Klaukka H Mattila T Haahtela (1999) ArticleTitleMycobacterium tuberculosis infection and the subsequent development of asthma and allergic conditions. J Allerg Clin Immunol 104 1211–1214

    Google Scholar 

  • Mutius E von N Pearce R Beasley et al. (2000) ArticleTitleInternational patterns of tuberculosis and the prevalence of symptoms of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. Thorax 55 449–453 Occurrence Handle10.1136/thorax.55.6.449

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SA Lewis JR Britton (1998) ArticleTitleMeasles infection, measles vaccination and the effect of birth order in the aetiology of hay fever. Clin Exp Allerg 28 1493–1500 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2222.1998.00436.x Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1M7ks1yhtw%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SO Shaheen P Aaby AJ Hall et al. (1996) ArticleTitleMeasles and atopy in Guinea-Bissau. Lancet 347 1792–1796 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0140-6736(96)91617-7 Occurrence Handle8667923 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK283otFOgsw%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • C Bodner WJ Anderson TS Reid DJ Godden (2000) ArticleTitleChildhood exposure to infection and risk of adult onset wheeze and atopy. Thorax 55 383–387 Occurrence Handle10.1136/thorax.55.5.383 Occurrence Handle10770819 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c3jtl2gtQ%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • M Paunio OP Heinonen M Virtanen P Leinikki A Patja H Peltola (2000) ArticleTitleMeasles history and atopic diseases: a population-based cross-sectional study. JAMA 283 343–346 Occurrence Handle10.1001/jama.283.3.343 Occurrence Handle10647796 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c7ht1ehsA%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • PM Matricardi F Rosmini S Riondino et al. (2000) ArticleTitleExposure to foodborne and orofecal microbes versus airborne viruses in relation to atopy and allergic asthma: epidemiological study. Br Med J 320 412–417 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c7jsVCksQ%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • IS Farooqi JM Hopkin (1998) ArticleTitleEarly childhood infection and atopic disorder. Thorax 53 927–932 Occurrence Handle10193389 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1M3gvFCluw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10.1136/thx.53.11.927

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • P Bager T Westergaard K Rostgaard H Hjalgrim M Melbye (2002) ArticleTitleAge at childhood infections and risk of atopy. Thorax 57 379–382 Occurrence Handle10.1136/thorax.57.5.379 Occurrence Handle11978910 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD383ktFCksQ%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • C Bodner D Godden A Seaton (1998) ArticleTitleFamily size, childhood infections and atopic diseases. The Aberdeen WHEASE Group. Thorax 53 28–32 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1c3jvVekuw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Florey C du V, Leeder SR. Methods for Cohort Studies of Chronic Airflow Limitation. WHO Regional Publications European Series No.12. London, UK, 1982.

  • MI Asher U Keil HR Anderson et al. (1995) ArticleTitleInternational study of asthma and allergies in childhood (ISAAC): Rationale and methods. Eur Respir J 8 483–491 Occurrence Handle10.1183/09031936.95.08030483 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK2MzgvFeruw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle7789502

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • FD Martinez (2001) ArticleTitleThe coming-of-age of the hygiene hypothesis. Respir Res 2 129–132 Occurrence Handle10.1186/rr48 Occurrence Handle11686875 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MnjvFCkug%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • W Nystad A Skrondal P Magnus (1999) ArticleTitleDay care attendance, recurrent respiratory tract infections and asthma. Int J Epidemiol 28 882–887 Occurrence Handle10.1093/ije/28.5.882 Occurrence Handle10597986 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c%2FmsVymtA%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • C Infante-Rivard D Amre D Gautrin JL Malo (2001) ArticleTitleFamily size, day-care attendance, and breastfeeding in relation to the incidence of childhood asthma. Am J Epidemiol 153 653–658 Occurrence Handle10.1093/aje/153.7.653 Occurrence Handle11282792 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M3gvVyksg%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • J Pekkanen S Remes M Kajosaari T Husman L Soininen (1999) ArticleTitleInfections in early childhood and risk of atopic disease. Acta Paediatr 88 710–714 Occurrence Handle10.1080/08035259950168964 Occurrence Handle10447127 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1MznsVOqsQ%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • N Thiry P Beutels Z Shkedy et al. (2002) ArticleTitleThe seroepidemiology of primary varicella-zoster virus infection in Flanders (Belgium). Eur J Pediatr 161 588–593 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00431-002-1053-2 Occurrence Handle12424583

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • JC Bramley IG Jones (2000) ArticleTitleEpidemiology of chickenpox in Scotland: 1981–1998. Commun Dis Public Health 3 282–287 Occurrence Handle11280260 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M7ovFCqtA%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mutius E von (2001) ArticleTitleInfection: Friend or foe in the development of atopy and asthma? The epidemiological evidence. Eur Respir J 18 872–881

    Google Scholar 

  • A Poulsen K Qureshi I Lisse et al. (2002) ArticleTitleA household study of chickenpox in Guinea–Bissau: Intensity of exposure is a determinant of severity. J Infect 45 237–242 Occurrence Handle10.1053/jinf.2002.1049 Occurrence Handle12423611 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD38nmtl2gsQ%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koch Institut Robert (2000) ArticleTitleRatgeber Infektionskrankheiten: Scharlach und andere Infektionen durch Streptococcus pyogenes. Epid Bull 43 343–345

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, RWTH , Aachen, Germany

    Monique Mommers, Michaela Weishoff-houben & Wolfgang Dott

  2. Department of General Practice, Care and Public Health Research Institute, University of Maastricht, Geleen, The Netherlands

    Monique Mommers & Constant P. van Schayck

  3. Department of Epidemiology, Care and Public Health Research Institute, University of Maastricht, Geleen, The Netherlands

    Gerard M.H. Swaen

  4. Youth Health Care Section, Municipal Health Service, Geleen, The Netherlands

    Huub Creemers

  5. Youth Health Care Section, Municipal Health Service, Heinsberg, Germany

    Hermann Freund

Authors
  1. Monique Mommers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gerard M.H. Swaen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Michaela Weishoff-houben
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Huub Creemers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Hermann Freund
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Wolfgang Dott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Constant P. van Schayck
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mommers, M., Swaen, G.M., Weishoff-houben, M. et al. Childhood infections and risk of wheezing and allergic sensitisation at age 7–8 years. Eur J Epidemiol 19, 945–951 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-004-6016-7

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-004-6016-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation