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High circulating immunoglobulin A levels in infants are associated with intestinal toxigenic Staphylococcus aureus and a lower frequency of eczema
Author(s) -
Lundell AC.,
Hesselmar B.,
Nordström I.,
Saalman R.,
Karlsson H.,
Lindberg E.,
Åberg N.,
Adlerberth I.,
Wold A. E.,
Rudin A.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2008.03176.x
Subject(s) - staphylococcus aureus , antibody , immunoglobulin a , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , staphylococcal infections , immunoglobulin g , biology , bacteria , genetics
Summary Background Intestinal bacteria trigger IgA production and delayed maturation of mucosal IgA response is linked to allergy development. Objective Our aim was to investigate if plasma levels of IgA or APRIL (a proliferation inducing ligand), an important factor for IgA class switch recombination, in infancy correlates with intestinal colonization by any specific bacteria or yeast. We also examined if plasma IgA or APRIL levels are related to sensitization and the development of eczema. Methods IgA was quantified in plasma obtained from infants at birth and at 4 and 18 months of age and APRIL was measured at 4 months of age. Colonization by major bacterial groups and yeast was followed in the first 8 weeks of life by quantitative culture of stool samples. A clinical evaluation regarding the presence of allergen‐specific IgE or eczema and eosinophil counts in blood was performed at 18 months of age. Results In multiple linear regression analysis, only colonization by Staphylococcus aureus strains producing toxins with superantigen function (SEA‐D or TSST‐1) made an independent contribution to plasma IgA levels at 4 months of age. Further, increased levels of APRIL in plasma at 4 months were negatively associated with sensitization while IgA plasma levels were inversely correlated to eczema development and blood eosinophil counts at 18 months of age. Conclusion Early intestinal colonization by toxigenic S. aureus strains seems to promote systemic IgA responses. Furthermore, high levels of APRIL and IgA in the circulation at 4 months of age seem to correlate negatively with allergy development.