Potential association between allergic diseases and pertussis infection in schoolchildren: Results of two cross-sectional studies seven years apart

Abstract Background In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between pertussis infections and allergic diseases in two cross-sectional questionnaire-based surveys carried out in 1997 and 2004. We also measured serum level of antibody to B. pertussis . Material and Methods Two cross-sectional, questionnaire-based surveys were carried out in 1997 (n = 3164) and 2004 (n = 3728). 361 cases and 465 controls were recruited from both surveys. The skin tests were performed using standardised extracts. The level of pertussis specific IgG was measured in 136 allergic and 168 non-allergic children. Results We found that allergic diseases prevalence was significantly higher in the children suffering from pertussis infections (22.3 % first and 8.8 % second survey) compared to children who did not suffer from pertussis infections (6.6 % first and 4.5 % second survey) (p = 0.001 and p = 0.035, respectively). Asthma prevalence was also significantly higher in children suffering from pertussis infection (37.6 % first and 26.2 % second survey) compared to children who did not suffer from pertussis (7.4 % first and 5.0 % second survey) (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). However, the mean serum levels of anti-pertussis IgG were similar in allergic and non-allergic groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion Although pertussis antibody levels in atopic and non-atopic children were similar to each other, pertussis infection still seemed to have a significant effect on the development of atopic diseases.