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. 2015 Mar;114(3):193-198.e4.
doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2014.12.008.

Early-life mold and tree sensitivity is associated with allergic eosinophilic rhinitis at 4 years of age

Christopher D Codispoti  1 , David I Bernstein  2 , Linda Levin  3 , Tiina Reponen  3 , Patrick H Ryan  4 , Jocelyn M Biagini Myers  5 , Manuel Villareal  2 , Jeff Burkle  3 , Zana Lummus  2 , James E Lockey  6 , Gurjit K Khurana Hershey  7 , Grace K LeMasters  3
Affiliations

Early-life mold and tree sensitivity is associated with allergic eosinophilic rhinitis at 4 years of age

Christopher D Codispoti et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2015 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Nasal eosinophils are a biomarker for allergic rhinitis (AR) and are associated with increased symptom severity.

Objective: To identify predictors of allergic eosinophilic rhinitis (AER) in early childhood in children at higher risk for chronic allergic respiratory disorders.

Methods: In the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study, infants born to aeroallergen-sensitized and symptomatic parents were examined and underwent skin prick testing (SPT) annually to 15 aeroallergens from 1 to 4 years of age. Wheal circumferences were traced and scanned and areas were determined by computer planimetry. At 4 years, AER was defined as (1) at least 1 positive aeroallergen SPT result, (2) presence of sneezing and runny nose without a cold or influenza, and (3) nasal eosinophilia of at least 5%. Wheal areas at 1 to 3 years were analyzed for an association with AER compared with children without AR.

Results: At 4 years, 487 children completed rhinitis health histories, SPT, and nasal sampling. Ninety-nine children (22.8%) had AR. Thirty-eight children had AER (8.8% of total sample and 38.4% of AR sample, respectively). At 3 years, for every 1-mm(2) increase in Penicillium species (adjusted odds ratio 1.18, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.32, P = .002) and maple (adjusted odds ratio 1.07, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.13, P = .02), wheal area significantly increased the risk of AER at 4 years of age.

Conclusion: Allergic eosinophilic rhinitis was identified in 8.8% of children at 4 years of age. Age 3 years was the earliest that aeroallergen SPT wheal areas were predictive of AER. Skin testing at 3 years identifies children at risk for an AR phenotype with nasal eosinophilia.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Sensitivity analysis with variation of the threshold for defining allergic eosinophilic rhinitis
Figure 2
Figure 2. Odds ratios of developing allergic eosinophilic rhinitis at age four by percentiles of total of important allergen wheal areas* from multivariate regression model at age three
*Allergen wheal areas that were included in the final multivariate model at age 3 includes: Penicillium, Maple, and Elm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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