Long-term effects of pneumococcal colonization during early childhood wheezing.

BACKGROUND

Bacterial colonization during wheezing in early childhood has been associated with short-term relapses of wheezing, but no study has addressed the effects of Streptococcus pneumoniae colonization on long-term outcome of wheezing. The aim of the present study was therefore to evaluate whether pneumococcal (PNC) colonization during the first wheezing episode in early childhood is a determinant of asthma, atopy or lung function in the long term.

METHODS

In 1981-82 83 infants were hospitalized for first wheezing episode at <24 months of age. PNC colonization was defined as positive nasopharyngeal aspirate for S. pneumoniae either in culture or antigen detection on hospital admission. Atopy and repeated wheezing or asthma were diagnosed on all follow-up visits from infancy until the age of 28-31 years. Spirometry was conducted at the ages of 8-10, 18-20 and 28-31 years.

RESULTS

PNC colonization was found in 25/83 infants (30%) during hospitalization for wheezing in infancy. PNC colonization was not associated with later atopy, repeated wheezing, asthma or lung function at any time during the 30 year follow up.

CONCLUSION

PNC colonization during the first wheezing episode in early childhood is not a determinant of subsequent wheezing or later asthma, atopy or lung function in childhood, adolescence or adulthood.