Atopic dermatitis is
increased following vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella or
measles infection.
Olesen AB, Juul S,
Thestrup-Pedersen K.
Department of Dermatology, University
Hospital of Aarhus, Denmark. AnneBraae@dadlnet.dk
The prevalence
of atopic dermatitis increased markedly in the period 1960s to the
1990s. Earlier findings indicate that infections acquired in early life
enhance or suppress the expression of atopic disease as a result of a
change in immune reactivity. Our objectives were to examine the
association between measles, mumps and rubella vaccination, measles
infection and the risk of atopic dermatitis. A random sample of 9,744
children were followed up from birth to 3-15 years. Their parents
responded to a questionnaire including highly structured questions on
atopic dermatitis, measles, mumps and rubella vaccination and measles
infection. Information on parental educational level was obtained from
Statistics Denmark. The cumulative incidence of atopic dermatitis at age
14 was 19.7%. The confounder adjusted incidence ratio of atopic
dermatitis among measles, mumps and rubella vaccinated children versus
children not subjected to measles, mumps and rubella vaccination and
measles infection was 1.86 (95% CI 1.25-2.79); the incidence ratio for
measles-infected children was similar. The incidence of atopic
dermatitis increased after measles, mumps and rubella vaccination and
measles infection, which is surprising in view of the hygiene
hypothesis. We suggest further study of the possible short-term and
long-term effects of virus and bacteria on the immune responses and
expression of atopic disease.