Rhinovirus‐specific antibody responses in preschool children with acute wheeze reflect severity of respiratory symptoms

Abstract Background Some children with rhinovirus ( RV ) infections wheeze, but it is unknown whether this is due to more virulent strains of virus or differences in host immune responses. The aim of this study was to investigate the RV species‐specific antibody responses measured at a follow‐up visit in preschool children in relation to reported time with respiratory symptoms and the presence of different RV species during an acute episode of wheeze. Method Nasopharyngeal swabs and blood samples were taken among 120 preschool children (<4 years of age) at an acute episode of wheeze and at a follow‐up visit (median 11 weeks later). Nested PCR was used to detect different RV strains, and serum levels of IgG 1 against purified recombinant VP 1 proteins from representatives of the three RV species ( RV ‐A, RV ‐B, and RV ‐C) were measured by ELISA . Results Rhinovirus was detected in 74% ( n = 80/108) of the children at the acute visit, and RV ‐C was the most common subtype ( n = 59/80, 74%). An increase in RV ‐specific IgG 1 was seen in 61% ( n = 73) of the children at follow‐up, most frequently against RV ‐A ( n = 61/73, 86%) irrespective of the RV strains detected by PCR . Increases in RV ‐specific IgG 1 against RV ‐A or against RV ‐A and RV ‐C were significantly associated with more respiratory symptoms (p = 0.03, p = 0.007). Conclusion Antibody response to recombinant RV VP 1 proteins was associated with longer time with respiratory symptoms.