Humoral immune factors and asthma among American Indian children: a case–control study

Abstract

BackgroundAsthma is recognized as intimately related to immunologic factors and inflammation, although there are likely multiple phenotypes and pathophysiologic pathways. Biomarkers of inflammation may shed light on causal factors and have potential clinical utility. Individual and population genetic factors are correlated with risk for asthma and improved understanding of these contributions could improve treatment and prevention of this serious condition.MethodsA population-based sample of 108 children with clinically defined asthma and 216 control children were recruited from a small community in the northern plains of the United States. A complete blood count, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, total IgE and specific antibodies to 5 common airborne antigens (CAA), in addition to basic demographic and anthropomorphic data were obtained. Logistic regression was primarily used to determine the association between these humoral factors and risk of asthma.ResultsThe body mass index (BMI) of those with asthma and their total leukocyte counts, percentage of eosinophils, and levels of total IgE were all greater than corresponding control values in univariate analysis. The presence of detectable, specific IgE antibodies to five common airborne antigens was more likely among cases compared with controls. In multivariate analysis, total IgE was independently associated with asthma; but not after inclusion of a cumulative measure of specific IgE sensitization.ConclusionMany previously reported associations between anthropomorphic and immune factors and increased risk of asthma appear to be also present in this American Indian population. In this community, asthma is strongly associated with sensitization to CAA.

Efficacy and feasibility of the BREATHE asthma intervention with American Indian children: a randomized controlled trial

“…Staff were aware of participants' assignment to intervention or non-intervention arms. Additional details on setting and participants were previously described 2,4,5 .…”

Respiratory syncytial virus-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations associate with environmental and genetic factors: the Factors Influencing Pediatric Asthma Study

“…The Factors Influencing Pediatric Asthma (FIPA) study, enrolled 324 participants from a single site in a population-based, case/control study as previously described [22], of which were included in the current study. Briefly, 108 asthma cases were ascertained by a global search of Indian Health Service electronic medical records for a diagnosis related to asthma (ICD codes 493.00 through 493.92, plus 786.07 [wheezing] and V17.5 [family history of asthma]), and more specifically defined by at least 2 of 3 potential criteria (asthma diagnosis, at least 2 prescriptions for bronchodilator medications within the past 2 years, or pulmonary function testing showing a 20% improvement in FEV1 post bronchodilator treatment).…”

“…community health. The Factors Influencing Pediatric Asthma (FIPA) study [22] enrolled 324 children from a Northern Plains American Indian community to characterize the environmental, social and genetic factors associated with asthma in this high-risk, highprevalence community. The goal of the present analysis was to quantify the immunoglobulin G response to RSV infection in American Indian children with and without asthma, and to investigate the environmental, clinical, and genetic factors that associate with varying response.…”

Evaluation of ADAM33 gene’s single nucleotide polymorphism variants against asthma and the unique pattern of inheritance in Northern and Central Punjab, Pakistan

“…Asthma is a polygenic disease triggered by a complex interplay between environmental and genetic factors, leading to diverse phenotypes with variable severity and atopic reactions 5-7. Increased familial aggregation of the disease, as shown by the observed increase in concordance in monozygotic twins relative to that in dizygotic twins, is an indicator of major genetic/genomic influence on asthma disease development 8.…”