Humoral immune and clinical responses to food antigens following acute diarrhoea in children

T. Ahmed, R. Sumazaki, K. Shin, Y. Nagai, M. Shibasaki, G. J. Fuchs, H. Takita

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of acute watery diarrhoea in children upon humoral immune responses to food antigens and the subsequent development of food allergy. Methodology: Serum antibodies to cows' milk, β- lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, bovine serum albumin and ovalbumin were measured in 30 children with acute diarrhoea in the acute phase and I month after recovery. The children were followed for 1 year to assess the development of food allergy. Results: IgG antiβ-lactoglobulin titres for the study group increased 1 month after recovery compared to the titres during the acute phase (P=0.02). Antibody concentration for the other antigens studied did not rise. Four children developed positive IgE antibodies to one or more of the allergens after the diarrhoeal episode, although the titres were very low. None showed evidence of allergy to cows' milk or egg during the year-long follow-up. Conclusions: Acute diarrhoea in children resulted in increased production of IgG antibody to β-lactoglobulin and had a priming effect for development of positive IgE antibody to cows' milk. Clinical food allergy was not observed in any of the children during the year-long follow- up.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)229-232
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Paediatrics and Child Health
Volume34
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1998

Keywords

  • Diarrhoea
  • Food allergy
  • Immune response

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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