[Induction of IL2 responsiveness in allergen-stimulated lymphocytes from children with post respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection].

Induced interleukin 2 (IL2) responsiveness in allergen-stimulated lymphocytes from children with post respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection was studied. Induction of IL2 responsiveness in the patients lymphocytes was observed upon stimulation with allergens such as Dermatophgoides farinae (Df) antigen, ovalbumin (OVA) and alpha-casein. Such responses were not induced in age-matched normal lymphocytes. Maximum response was shown in lymphocytes from children who had been suffering from the infection for approximately one month, and the response gradually decreased over the course of eight months. The frequency of induced IL2 responsiveness was unrelated to family history of atopic diseases, although there was a high incidence (67%) of family history among the patients. These results indicate that RSV-sensitized lymphocytes from the patients have acquired hypersensitivity to allergens such as food and mite antigens, factors which are commonly involved in the onset of atopic diseases.