Differences in Virus Detection and Cytokine Profiles between First Wheeze and Childhood Asthma.

OBJECTIVE

To distinguish between first wheeze and asthma in early childhood, we investigated respiratory viruses and cytokine/chemokine profiles among patients with first wheeze and established asthma.

METHODS

We enrolled children with acute exacerbations of wheezing (17 first wheeze and 32 asthma) and 11 controls (no wheezing) aged between 10 months and 6 years. Nasal aspirates were obtained, and virus detection was performed with antigenic assay kits and/or RT-PCR. Serum 27 cytokines/chemokines were assayed by a multi-cytokine detection system.

RESULTS

Rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial (RS) virus were dominant in acute exacerbations of asthma. However, many types of viruses were isolated in first wheeze. Serum IL-8 and IL-12 values were significantly higher in first wheeze than in acute asthma or the controls. IL-5 and IP-10 levels in acute asthma and first wheeze cases were higher than in the controls. Both of them were significantly higher in cases of acute asthma than in convalescence stage of asthma cases. Only IP-10 was significantly higher in first wheeze than in convalescence stage of first wheeze cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Different profiles in virus detection and production of IL-8 and IL-12 might distinguish between first wheeze and childhood asthma.