The FACT score in predicting pneumococcal antibody levels in asthmatics

Jenna C. Podjasek, Ji A. Jung, Hirohito Kita, Miguel A. Park, Young J. Juhn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: There is no measure currently available to identify asthmatics with potential immune incompetence. Objective: We propose use of a novel scoring system called the FACT score, which is formulated based on four parameters: (1) Family history of asthma, (2) Atopic conditions, (3) Bacterial colonization and (4) Th1 versus Th2 immune profile. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 16 asthmatics and 14 non-asthmatics. The first two parameters of the FACT score were obtained via a chart review and interview. For the third parameter, nasopharyngeal swab samples were cultured. The ratio of interleukin-5 to interferon-gamma for each patient was measured by peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultured with house dust mite. Antibodies to 23 pneumococcal antigens were used for humoral immunity. Results: The FACT scores for asthmatics (mean±SD: 5.2±1.87) were higher than those for non-asthmatics (mean±SD: 3.3±1.5) (p=0.008). Of the 16 asthmatics, 7 (44%) had 12 or more positive serotype-specific polysaccharide antibodies, whereas 12 of 14 (86%) of non-asthmatics subjects had 12 or more positive serotype-specific polysaccharide antibodies (p=0.014). Overall, the FACT score was inversely correlated with the number of positive serotype-specific antibody levels [rho (ρ)=-0.38, p=0.04]. The proportions of subjects with 12 or more positive serotype-specific antibodies among non-asthmatics and asthmatics below and above the median of the FACT scores were 86, 50 and 38%, respectively (p=0.052). Conclusions: The FACT score may help us identify a subset of asthmatics with immune incompetence. Study findings need to be replicated in a larger study.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)370-375
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Asthma
Volume52
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2015

Keywords

  • Asthma
  • Epidemiology
  • FACT score
  • Immunity
  • Immunodeficiency
  • Infection
  • Pneumococcal

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

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