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Association of atopic diseases and parvovirus B19 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in childhood and adolescence in the northeast of Brazil

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Abstract

Background

Several factors related to the immune system, such as a history of allergies and virus infections, may be associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The purpose of this study was to analyze whether the presence of atopic diseases and previous infection with parvovirus B19 and Epstein−Barr virus (EBV) are associated with the development of ALL.

Methods

This case–control study was performed in two tertiary hospitals located in northeastern Brazil. The study population included 60 patients who were diagnosed with non-T-cell ALL using myelogram and immunophenotyping and 120 patients in the control group. Atopy was evaluated via a parent questionnaire and medical records. Total immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG levels of parvovirus B19 and EBV were measured in the serum. Logistic regression was performed to assess the association between variables and odds of ALL.

Results

We identified a significant inverse association between rhinitis, urticaria and elevated IgE serum levels with ALL. A history of parvovirus B19 infection showed a significant association with this type of cancer [OR (95 % CI) 2.00 (1.94–4.26); P = 0.050]. In logistic regression, the presence of atopy was a protective factor [OR (95 % CI) 0.57 (0.38–0.83); P = 0.004], and the presence of IgG for parvovirus B19 was an important risk factor for ALL [OR (95 % CI) 2.20 (1.02–4.76); P = 0.043].

Conclusions

These results suggest that atopic diseases and elevated total IgE levels are associated with a potential protective effect on the development of ALL. Previous infection with parvovirus B19 contributed to ALL susceptibility.

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Abbreviations

ALL:

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia

EBV:

Epstein−Barr virus

OR:

Odds ratio

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Acknowledgments

This project received financial resources from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development–CNPq, Brazil.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Genetics and Pediatrics, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil

    Joacilda da Conceição Nunes

  2. Research Center for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rêgo, s/n, University City, Recife, PE, CEP 50670-901, Brazil

    Georgia Véras de Araujo & Emanuel Sávio Cavalcanti Sarinho

  3. Department of Biostatistics in Science of Health, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil

    Marcelo Tavares Viana

  4. Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil

    Emanuel Sávio Cavalcanti Sarinho

Authors
  1. Joacilda da Conceição Nunes
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  2. Georgia Véras de Araujo
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  3. Marcelo Tavares Viana
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  4. Emanuel Sávio Cavalcanti Sarinho
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Georgia Véras de Araujo.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Participating hospitals

Oncology Center of the Oswaldo Cruz University Hospital in Recife–PE, Brasil and Napoleão Laureano Hospital in João Pessoa–PB, Brasil.

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da Conceição Nunes, J., de Araujo, G.V., Viana, M.T. et al. Association of atopic diseases and parvovirus B19 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in childhood and adolescence in the northeast of Brazil. Int J Clin Oncol 21, 989–995 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-016-0988-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-016-0988-7

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