Abstract
IgG subclasses were examined in 58 children with bronchial asthma (aged 1 year 1 month to 19 years 3 months) to clarify the cause of susceptibility to infections.
Twelve of the patients had bronchopulmonary infections (pneumonia or acute bronchitis) more than once a year. Nine of them were lacking in either IgG1, IgG2 or IgG3. Bronchopulmonary infections rates in the deficient group (9 patients) were significantly higher than in the normal group (49 patients) (p<0.01). The lack of IgG subclasses may be the cause of the susceptibilities to infections in children with bronchial asthma.
The relationship between the lack of IgG subclasses and the severities of asthma were examined. In the deficient group, 2 patients (22.2%) had moderate and 7 patients (77.8%) had severe asthma. In the normal group, 6 patients (12.2%) had mild, 35 patients (71.4%) had moderate and 8 patients (16.3%) had severe asthma. Severe asthma patients were significantly more frequent in the deficient group than in the normal group (p<0.05). The recurrent pulmonary infections may trigger intractable asthma.
In conclusion, the examinations of IgG subclasses are necessary in asthmatic children with recurrent infections and prevention of infections such as immunoglobulin therapy or immunization seems to be essential for the care of bronchial asthma.
