Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2012 Jun;32(2):101-106.

Relationship between Asthma and Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Children

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Bacterial and viral infections are closely related to development and exacerbation of asthma in children. The incidences of both asthma and the latent infection of tuberculosis are increasing in Korea. This study aimed to determine whether the prevalence of the latent infection of tuberculosis could be higher in asthmatic children compared to non-allergic children.
METHODS
We enrolled 30 asthmatic patients and 26 nonallergic patients who visited our hospital between 2008 and 2010. Total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, specific IgE levels and total eosinophil counts were measured. QuantiFERON-TB Gold (Cellestis Ltd., Carnegie, Victoria, Australia) was used to check for the status of the latent tuberculosis infection in both groups.
RESULTS
The positive response rate to QuantiFERON-TB Gold was significantly higher in the asthmatic patients than in the nonallergic children (67% vs. 38%, odds ratio=3.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.07~9.57).
CONCLUSION
The results of this study indicate the higher incidence of the latent infection of tuberculosis in pediatric asthmatic patients.

MeSH Terms

Asthma
Child
Eosinophils
Humans
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulins
Incidence
Korea
Latent Tuberculosis
Prevalence
Tuberculosis
Victoria
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulins