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- Title
Inverse association between Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and atopic rhinitis in children.
- Authors
Obihara, C. C.; Beyers, N.; Gie, R. P.; Potter, P. C.; Marais, B. J.; Lombard, C. J.; Enarson, D. A.; Kimpen, J. L. L.
- Abstract
The association between Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection and atopy remains controversial. To investigate the association between MTB infection and atopic rhinitis in children living in a high TB incidence area. In this cross-sectional study 418 children aged 6–14 years from an established epidemiological research-site in a poor urban community were invited to participate. They were assessed for allergic rhinitis (ISAAC questionnaire) and skin responses to tuberculin and eight environmental allergens. The presence of a BCG scar was documented, intestinal parasites and total and Ascaris lumbricoides-specific IgE levels were measured. Atopic rhinitis was defined, using the new World Allergy Organization (WAO) definition, as reported allergic rhinitis and a positive skin prick test (SPT ≥3 mm) to any allergen. Among the 337 children enrolled 10.4% had allergic rhinitis, 17.5% a positive SPT and 53% a positive tuberculin skin test (TST ≥10 mm). Children with a positive TST were significantly less likely to have recent atopic rhinitis (ORadjusted 0.06; 95% CI 0.007–0.5) than those with a negative TST. SPTs were significantly more common in children with negative TST who had recent allergic rhinitis (ORadj 34.0; 95% CI 7.6–152.6), but not in children with positive TST and recent allergic rhinitis (ORadj 0.6; 95% CI 0.07–5.2). MTB infection seems to reduce the prevalence of atopic rhinitis, and influences SPT reactivity in children with allergic rhinitis from a high TB incidence area.
- Subjects
MYCOBACTERIUM tuberculosis; MYCOBACTERIAL diseases; RHINITIS; HAY fever in children; TUBERCULOSIS in children; ALLERGENS
- Publication
Allergy, 2005, Vol 60, Issue 9, p1121
- ISSN
0105-4538
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1398-9995.2005.00834.x