M Ando1, M Shima. 1. Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is considerable concern about the rising trend in the prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases. The ability to monitor this trend would be enhanced by the use of a biological marker for these diseases. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether serum interleukin (IL) 12 and IL-18 levels were associated with allergic symptoms such as those of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic eczema in Japanese schoolchildren. METHODS: Allergic symptoms and serum IL-12, IL-18, and immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels were examined in 370 schoolchildren aged 9-10 years living in urban Japanese areas. Allergic symptoms were assessed with a questionnaire designed in accordance with the protocol of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). RESULTS: Serum IL-12 levels in children were not associated with any allergic symptoms. However, serum IL-18 levels were significantly higher in children who had asthma, allergic rhinitis, or atopic eczema than in those who did not have such symptoms. Serum IL-18 levels were also significantly higher in children with IgE levels of 250 IU/mL or above than in those with levels below 250 IU/mL. Gender-adjusted serum IL-18 levels were still significantly higher in children with allergic rhinitis, atopic eczema, or at least one allergic symptom than in those without symptoms. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that serum IL-18 levels are associated with allergic symptoms in children, independent of serum IgE levels. Thus, serum IL-18 may be a useful biological marker of these diseases.
BACKGROUND: There is considerable concern about the rising trend in the prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases. The ability to monitor this trend would be enhanced by the use of a biological marker for these diseases. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether serum interleukin (IL) 12 and IL-18 levels were associated with allergic symptoms such as those of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic eczema in Japanese schoolchildren. METHODS:Allergic symptoms and serum IL-12, IL-18, and immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels were examined in 370 schoolchildren aged 9-10 years living in urban Japanese areas. Allergic symptoms were assessed with a questionnaire designed in accordance with the protocol of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). RESULTS: Serum IL-12 levels in children were not associated with any allergic symptoms. However, serum IL-18 levels were significantly higher in children who had asthma, allergic rhinitis, or atopic eczema than in those who did not have such symptoms. Serum IL-18 levels were also significantly higher in children with IgE levels of 250 IU/mL or above than in those with levels below 250 IU/mL. Gender-adjusted serum IL-18 levels were still significantly higher in children with allergic rhinitis, atopic eczema, or at least one allergic symptom than in those without symptoms. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that serum IL-18 levels are associated with allergic symptoms in children, independent of serum IgE levels. Thus, serum IL-18 may be a useful biological marker of these diseases.
Authors: Khaled Zedan; Zafar Rasheed; Yaser Farouk; Abdullateef A Alzolibani; Ghada Bin Saif; Hisham A Ismail; Ahmad A Al Robaee Journal: J Clin Diagn Res Date: 2015-04-01
Authors: Hai B Tran; Martin D Lewis; Lor Wai Tan; Susan E Lester; Leonie M Baker; Jia Ng; Monica A Hamilton-Bruce; Catherine L Hill; Simon A Koblar; Maureen Rischmueller; Richard E Ruffin; Peter J Wormald; Peter D Zalewski; Carol J Lang Journal: J Allergy (Cairo) Date: 2012-03-18