309 HUMORAL IMMUNE RESPONSES TO TETANUS AND DIPHTHERIA IN ATOPIC AND NON ATOPIC CHILDREN

In order to investigate, whether atopic and non atopic children show differences in their humoral immune response to tetanus (T) and diphtheria (D) antigens we studied 593 children from a prospective cohort study who had been followed from birth. Clinical symptoms of atopy were registered and the cumulative incidence of skin and airway symptoms was determined at 24 months of age. Total IgE and specific IgE antibodies to egg, milk, soy, wheat, grass, birch, D. pteron., cats and dogs were determined by the CAP assay. T and D specific IgE and IgG4serum antibodies were determined at 24 months by RIA.Our results show, that children with cord blood IgE >0,9kU/l, serum IgE >66kU/l and at least one sensitization to an allergen at 24 months of age have significantly higher IgE responses to T and D (p>0,001). In children with atopic eczema during the first 24 months immune responses were not significantly different from clinically healthy controls. IgG4antibody concentration tended to be higher in children with specific senzitizations and were correlated with T (rs=0,59) and D (rs=0,63) specific IgE antibody levels.Our data indicate, that humoral immune responses to immunizing agents in atopic children are predicted by immunologic, but not by clinical parameters of atopy.