Serum IgG concentrations in adult patients experiencing virus-induced severe asthma exacerbations

Publication date: Available online 14 January 2019

Source: The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice

Author(s): Morgane Verduyn, Guillaume Botto, Julien Jaubert, Clément Lier, Thomas Flament, Laurent Guilleminault

Abstract

Background

Patients experiencing severe asthma exacerbations have a poorer quality of life and an increase in morbidity and mortality. Viruses are frequently involved in asthma exacerbations.

Objective

Determining the value of measuring serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations in asthma exacerbations and their link with viral infections in patients hospitalised for asthma has been assessed.

Methods

Patients hospitalised for asthma exacerbation were included in an observational study from the 1 January to 31 December 2015. Serum IgG concentrations on admission were compared between patients with a positive upper airway viral sample to those with a negative viral sample.

Results

Amongst the 82 patients included, those with positive viral nasopharyngeal samples (n=40) presented with lower serum IgG concentrations during exacerbation than those with a negative viral sample (n=42) (10.1 ± 2.3 g/l vs. 11.5 ± 3.6 g/l, p <0.05). The median concentration of serum IgG was lower in patients hospitalised for more than three days compared to those hospitalised for less than three days (10.0 g/l [8.2-12.4] vs. 11.4 g/l [10.1-12.8], p < 0.05) and in patients who received oral corticosteroid therapy for more than five days compared to those treated with oral steroids for less than five days (10.1 [8.3-12.2] vs. 11.6 g/l [10.0-13.8], p <0.05).

Conclusion

Serum IgG was significantly lower when asthma exacerbations were associated with positive viral samples. The patients with lower serum IgG concentrations required longer hospitalisations and longer courses of steroids.

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