Herpes Simplex Type I Infection and Atopy Association in Turkish Children with Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

This study Investigated the association between HSV-1 infection, and atopy by comparing seropostivity to HSV-1 in a atopic children with asthma and allergic rhinitis and in non-atopic children. Totally 249 children randomly selected from the university outpatient pediatric clinics were prospectively enrolled in the study between September 1 and November 30, 2007. Serum samples were examined using the Virus neutralization test (VNT). for HSV-1 Immunoglobulin G(IgG) seropositivity. Skin prick tests (SPTs) were performed to determine atopic status. The results showed that HSV-1 IgG seropositivity, was significantly higher in atopic children (56 8%) with asthma and allergic rhinitis than in the age-matched non-atopic children group (30.4%) (p<0 001). Although the occurrence of atopy was higher In seropositive girls (57%) than in seropositive boys (47%), the difference was not. significant (p=0.329). These results support a possible relationship between the atopic status of children with asthma and allergic rhinitis and HSV-1 infection.